Sleep Apnea can Cause Car Accidents
I’m Ed Smith, a Folsom Personal Injury Lawyer. Issues with sleep are some of the most common reasons why people visit the doctor. Some people have difficulty falling asleep while other people may have trouble staying asleep. Problems with getting proper sleep at night can lead to chronic headaches, decreased productivity, and changes in personality. One of the most common sleep-related disorders that people might have is called sleep apnea, a disorder that causes people to stop breathing while asleep. In response to this, the body wakes up, making it hard for people to get proper sleep. Some of the statistics published by Apnea Treatment indicate that:
- One out of 50 people in the United States is living with undiagnosed sleep apnea.
- One in 3 adults has one or more risk factors for sleep apnea.
- 18 million people in this country live with sleep apnea.
As obesity continues to be a problem in this country, more people will be at risk for this disorder. Unfortunately, sleep apnea can also increase the chances of someone being involved in an auto accident.
A Study: Sleep Apnea and Driving
A recent study was completed by a team of medical professionals who were looking at the impact of drowsiness on driving. Someone who falls asleep behind the wheel could be involved in a severe accident leading to traumatic injuries. While drunk driving has received a lot of attention, researchers found that nearly 30 percent of auto accidents involved driver fatigue. According to the study, about 20 percent of people suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness.
Without a doubt, one of the major contributing factors is the presence of sleep apnea. One of the ways this disorder could manifest is through excessive fat that presses on the trachea while people sleep. This compresses the airway and halts breathing at night, causing people to wake up and prevent restful sleep. This is how obesity leads to sleep apnea. Based on the study, people with sleep apnea are six times more likely to be involved in a car crash when compared to the average person. These accidents could lead to wrongful death. The good news is that with proper treatment, the risk of a crash involving sleep apnea could be reduced as much as five-fold. Therefore, it is imperative for people with sleep apnea to seek proper treatment from a doctor.
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Folsom Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Folsom Personal Injury Lawyer. Driving while fatigued can cause severe car accidents. If you have been injured in a crash involving drowsiness or fatigue, please call me today at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. I’m happy to share free, friendly legal advice.
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