Sleep Apnea – The Silent Crescendo That Can Cause Fatigue and a Cascade of Multiple Health Conditions

How would you describe how you feel upon awakening for your driving shift? Do you find
yourself refreshed or feeling heavy-headed? Have you ever found yourself waking during
your sleep gasping or choking? Are you irritable, or do you find yourself having a
headache? Are you sleepy despite having slept prior to your shift? Do you find yourself
yawning, nodding off, or struggling to stay awake most of your driving shifts?

If you answered yes to any of the above, Sleep Apnea could be contributory and you should
discuss your symptoms with your physician.

Oxygen is the utmost requirement for human life and survival. It is necessary for every
major body organ to survive and to function at the highest cellular level. Without oxygen,
brain death can occur in a matter of 4-6 minutes, and the heart can stop. Most would
commonly associate this type of circumstance with a person who stops breathing, or who
has a heart attack or a stroke. That is why starting CPR immediately is vitally important. In
untreated Sleep Apnea, “apnea”, or the cessation of breathing, can last anywhere from 10
seconds or longer, up to 15 to 30 episodes per minute while asleep.

It’s this gradual lack of insufficient oxygen over time that slowly causes damage to
our major organs, and in turn, can create multiple health conditions.

There are several types of Sleep Apnea, but the most common type occurs due to an
increased neck size, weight gain with a high BMI, or when the throat muscles relax in the
back of the airway blocking it, usually with aging. This is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea
(OSA), which can block your ability to breathe in adequate amounts of oxygen, and to
exhale adequate amounts carbon dioxide.

If left untreated over a period of time or years, it can silently crescendo causing a
cascade of new multiple health conditions caused by a lack of sufficient oxygen to
the major organs.

When this happens, it not only leads to excessive daytime (or your driving “awake” hours)
sleepiness, but it can also affect your attentiveness and cognition, both which can slow your
reaction time and ability to make quick decisions, putting you at risk for accidents. Common
symptoms and associated conditions caused by Sleep Apnea can include:

  • Type II Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Congestive Heart Failure or Coronary Heart Disease
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Stroke
  • Acid Reflux
  • Nocturia (frequent urination at night)
  • ADHD
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Snoring
  • Gasping for Air
  • Forgetfulness
  • Reduced Cognition
  • Depression or Mood Disturbances
  • Irritability
  • Headaches
  • Restless Sleep

Two of the conditions to note in particular are the roles of which blood pressure and
Diabetes play in driver fatigue. Both high and low blood pressure, and a significantly high or
low blood sugar, can cause fainting unknowingly while driving.

When Sleep Apnea is treated however, it can significantly lead to improvement in
your health and your driving performance. Treating it early before additional
associated complications arise can extend your MEC qualifications!

Diagnosis and treatment is highly supported in the industry. Testing usually starts with a
simple questionnaire completed by you and if applicable, any other household member that
has had an opportunity to observe you during sleep. If warranted, a sleep study can start
with a simple test in the privacy of your home, while others may require more formal
monitoring and additional measurements at a testing facility.

These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any illness. Please
ask your employer or physician for assistance in getting evaluated for Sleep Apnea.