Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Sleep Apnea and Car Accidents

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Sleep Apnea and Car Accidents

It seems that every day there are more reports about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and how this condition impacts our lives. We hear about the effect sleep apnea has on our cardiovascular system increasing the risk for high blood pressure and stroke. But were you aware that sleep apnea was responsible for nearly two million drivers to be involved in either a car accident or a near miss. This data comes from the National Sleep Foundation and should be a wake-up call (no pun intended) for all of us.

Our society is experiencing some of the toughest economic times in our history and those stresses also affect our sleep. Did you know that 75% of Americans report at least one symptom of a sleep disturbance? 60% of adults report that they drove while being drowsy in the past year. 9% of men and 4% of the women in the United States have signs of Sleep Apnea. Frighteningly, 90% of the patients with Sleep Apnea haven’t even been diagnosed!

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that drivers observe the following warning signs that indicate that it’s time to stop driving and find a safe place to pull over and rest:
- Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking and/or heavy eyelids
- Trouble keeping your head up or yawning excessively
- Drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating and/or hitting rumble strips
- Unable to clearly remember the last few miles driven
- Missing exits or traffic signs
- Feeling restless, irritable or aggressive

If you are experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness you may be living with Sleep Apnea. Please call us at 561-394-9000 to schedule an appointment to help determine if you are suffering with this potentially lethal condition. We will arrange an appointment that works best with your schedule to get you on your way to a healthier nights sleep.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.