According to an Australian study, 41% of truck drivers in Australia have obstructive sleep apnea. This sleep disorder causes a person to stop breathing intermittently throughout the night, disrupting sleep. This can in turn lead to daytime sleepiness.
517 long distance truck drivers participated in the study. Only of the participants 4.4% said they had been previously diagnosed with sleep apnea but, after the researchers tested all of their subjects, 41% of the truckers had the sleep disorder. Researchers also noted that 49% of the truck drivers were smokers, 50% were obese and 36% were overweight, all increased risk factors of developing sleep apnea.
Although the numbers may not be the same in the US, it is important to note the sleep apnea affects approximately one-third of truck drivers in America.
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