Why Sleep Apnea can be Deadly when you are behind the Wheel
Louisville, KY
If you suffer from sleep apnea and do not receive proper diagnosis and treatment, then you face a higher risk of developing any one of a variety of different chronic and potentially fatal ailments. However, sleep apnea can threaten your life in another way—on the roads. Recent scientific research has suggested that traffic accidents are more likely for individuals with sleep apnea, underscoring the importance of seeking care from a well-trained medical professional like our sleep apnea dentists in Louisville. Today on the blog, we explore this topic in greater detail.
The risks of driving with sleep apnea
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that 28% of commercial truck drivers had sleep apnea, with their condition ranking from mild to severe levels. An individual with sleep apnea experiences airway issues that lead to pauses or total disruptions in their breathing. For someone with severe, untreated sleep apnea, these breathing interruptions may occur hundreds of times per night. Each time one of these breathing disruptions happens, it breaks the sleep cycle, meaning the person spends less time in the deepest stages of sleep.
The effects of sleep apnea on driving
Living with sleep apnea, and the sleep loss that comes with it, affects your alertness during the day. This can make it difficult to stay awake, retain visual focus and react quickly – all key elements of driving. Just a few seconds of inattentiveness when behind the wheel can lead to a crash.
Know the signs of sleep apnea
Given the increased risk for individuals who have advanced sleep apnea, it is important to recognize the other symptoms of this disorder once it becomes severe. Consider that as many as four of every five patients with sleep apnea go undiagnosed, and the potential risks on the road become especially troubling.
Snoring remains the major indicator of the presence of a sleep breathing disorder such as sleep apnea.
Other frequently reported symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Labored breathing, or making choking or gasping sounds while asleep
- Having to wake up frequently to urinate
- Regularly waking up with dry mouth in the morning and
- Frequent instances of daytime fatigue
Patients who have been living with sleep apnea for quite some time may be experiencing other, more lasting changes, including sudden mood swings, unexplainable weight gain and memory problems.
Sleep apnea treatment in Kentuckiana
Exceptional Dentistry provides treatment for sleep apnea without the need for CPAP through oral appliance therapy. These oral appliances look and feel like anti-snoring night guards, but they are fabricated from higher-quality materials and are made from specific impressions of your teeth and mouth to make sure for the most secure, effective, and comfortable fit possible. When worn, this oral appliance brings the lower jaw forward, helping to maintain an open airway throughout the night and therefore preventing the blockages and breathing issues that cause sleep apnea.
Ready to find out more? Schedule a consultation at any of our three locations in Louisville or Shepherdsville, Kentucky, or Jeffersonville, Indiana. Just call (502) 423-7868 or complete our online appointment request form.
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