Safety First: Why Commercial Drivers Should Be Sleep Tested

If you drive a bus, a truck, or any other kind of large commercial vehicle, you probably already know that getting plenty of sleep every night is an important part of the job. The last thing you want is to doze off at the wrong moment and cause a dangerous accident. But even if you’re giving yourself plenty of time to rest, you could still be suffering from a disorder that’s preventing you from getting the quality sleep you need even if you don’t realize it! To learn more about the dangers of being a commercial driver with sleep apnea in The Woodlands and the importance of having a sleep test done, keep reading.

What is Sleep Apnea?

The term “sleep apnea” refers to a disorder where you repeatedly stop breathing during the night, forcing your body to wake up to get oxygen. Most of the time, the condition is caused by an obstruction of the airway that occurs when your throat muscles and the palate of your mouth collapse.

Why Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous for Commercial Drivers?

The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea will stop you from reaching the deeper stages of sleep meant to refresh your mind and body. This leads to drowsiness, memory problems, and a lack of focus – all issues that you want to avoid when you spend several hours on the road every day.

One study in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that people with sleep apnea were two-and-a-half times more likely to be the driver at fault in a traffic accident. Furthermore, the incidence of accidents among sleep apnea patients was found to be much lower after they had received treatment. In other words, a sleep disorder can significantly increase your risk of collisions and crashes on the road – but having it treated can go a long way towards helping you stay safe.

Why Should Commercial Drivers Be Tested for Sleep Apnea?

As many as 22 million people could have sleep apnea right now, but frighteningly enough, most of them might not even realize it. The most obvious symptoms – loud snoring and gasping for air in your sleep – normally need to be noticed by another person, and other warning signs such as general sleepiness could have multiple causes. You’ll need to have your condition diagnosed correctly before it can be addressed effectively.

That’s where sleep apnea testing in The Woodlands comes in. This process (which can be done in a lab or at home) monitors your vital signs, brain activity, and other markers that could point to a sleep disorder. If the diagnosis is confirmed, you can talk to a sleep expert about possible solutions such as an oral appliance or CPAP therapy.

You should ask a sleep dentist about sleep testing as soon as you have any reason to think you might have sleep apnea. Don’t take any chances with the quality of your rest – especially when your job depends on your ability to drive safely!

About the Author

Dr. Robert G. Dernick became interested in dentistry at a very early age. Thanks to his constant efforts to improve himself, he eventually began studying the field of sleep dentistry. As a result, he’s now able to provide safe and reliable sleep apnea therapy for many different kinds of patients. If you’re worried about the quality of your rest and want to arrange for a sleep test, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Dernick by visiting his website or calling (281) 363-2770.