As sleep is gaining its well deserved position in the spotlight, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is right alongside it. OSA is a sleep disorder in which a person stops breathing multiple times during periods of rest, due to blockage in their airway. It has been linked to serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and early death. A study has also linked OSA to drowsy driving, as the condition causes daytime sleepiness.
Drowsy driving has become a huge concern, and many states are stepping up in an effort to reduce the number of sleepy drivers on their road:
-Texas has devoted an entire week of November to “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week.”
-In New Jersey, you can face the consequences of the law if you go for 24 hours without sleep and get behind the wheel as it is considered driving recklessly.
-Utah has taken the initiative of placing road signs in areas where drivers are more likely to drive sleepy.
-New York has made driving while drowsy a Class A Misdemeanor.
-In Pennsylvania, the entire month of April is “Distracted Driving Awareness Month”
Statistics show that people with untreated OSA are three times more likely to be involved in an automobile accident, compared to the rest of the general population. The number one recommended treatment for OSA is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
If you have sleep apnea, do not hesitate to see a licensed physician immediately. For more information on sleep apnea and CPAP treatment, we encourage you to check out CPAP.com!
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