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Trucking Companies Screening Drivers for Sleep Apnea
The dangerous health effects associated with sleep deprivation are well documented. However workers in certain careers suffer more immediate and serious problems when they don’t get restful sleep. Recent studies have pointed out alarming trends in sleep apnea among truck drivers.
Asleep At the Wheel
Although truck drivers today run the gamut of age, gender and build, the most common demographic is still the stereotypical overweight, middle-aged man. This group is also the most likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and experts estimate anywhere from 30-75% of truckers on the road today suffer from this serious sleep disorder.
The sleep deprivation experienced by sleep apnea sufferers has serious long-term effects such as congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and diabetes. In the short term, even one night of poor sleep leads to disorientation and slowed reaction speeds. While this may cause reduced production and increased errors in your average office worker, it becomes a greater concern when talking about someone guiding 40 tons of machinery at 75 mph down a crowded freeway.
Trucking Companies Joining the Fight
Airline pilots are routinely screened for sleep apnea but other professionals such as truck drivers are not. This is starting to change. Companies are realizing that helping drivers with OSA reduces late deliveries, absenteeism, and company liability in the event of accident. Of course it also creates a safer working environment for their employees.
The diagnosis and treatment of OSA is covered by most medical insurance but trucking companies still have their place in the solution. Educating drivers on the serious consequences of sleep disorders is one of the things an employer can do. Encouraging or even requiring screening for sleep disorders from all of their drivers means safer roads for us all.
Treatment with CPAP Machines
OSA is caused when a person’s airway gets closed off during sleep, blocking airflow temporarily. This causes sleep disturbances which keep a person from getting deep, restful sleep. The reduction of oxygen causes substantial health problems when experienced night after night.
Once the condition is diagnosed, treatment is a simple matter with
Continual Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines. The sleeper wears a mask during sleep that allows air to be pumped in slightly above normal pressure to hold open the airway. This leads to deeper sleep and the sleeper wakes up feeling much better.
The machines are small, roughly the size of a shoebox, so can be taken on long-haul trips. They are easy to use and, though some people have a bit of trouble sleeping with the mask on, most of them get used to it after a few nights. Even one night of deep and energizing sleep is enough to convince people of the efficacy of these devices.
If you are a truck driver, get checked for sleep apnea. Not only will treatment save your own life but may save the lives of others on the road.
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