OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA INFORMATION FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVERS
As a new or re-certifying driver, you may have questions why our certified medical examiners have changed their approach to the condition you may know as “sleep apnea”. Based on medical studies, the medical leadership of US HealthWorks made a decision to have our examiners follow a consistent protocol if this condition is suspected during your medical examination as a commercial driver, whether you cross state lines or drive within them. Hopefully, this will answer most of the questions you may have about this change.
OUR CONCERN FOR YOUR HEALTH
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing while you sleep. This may happen as many as fifty or sixty times a night. When it does, your blood oxygen drops to very low levels and to your sleeping brain it’s as if you were suddenly drowning. The brain responds by making you gasp for breath and breath rapidly until your oxygen level is back to normal. You don’t usually wake up when this happens, however these episodes prevent you from getting the quality rest you need to function the next day. You find yourself tired and you likely have trouble staying awake especially during times of boredom or routine activity. You may actually fall asleep during the day.
While this may be safe if you’re on the sofa at home reading, it clearly isn’t when you’re driving an eighteen wheeler or a school bus. Accident studies show sleep apnea to be a significant cause of many fatal and career ending crashes. Also, if you have undiagnosed or untreated sleep apnea, you are at a much higher risk for a sudden heart attack or stroke.
