FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Summertime Heightens Drowsy Driving Tragedies
Be aware of untreated sleep apnea during the summer months
With summer here, more families are taking to the open road, unaware that an unknown danger may lurk inside their car or in the vehicle right next to them. The culprit is a drowsy driver, as many people get into their cars for quick getaways feeling tired creating problems for themselves and other drivers.
In a recent National Sleep Foundation (NSF) poll Sleep in America, more than 60% of people admitted to driving drowsy. More than ten admitting to having fallen asleep at the wheel at least once a month! That’s up from 51% in 2002, the last time NSF polled drivers.
“This is a preventable problem,” says Karen Block, administrator of Endeavor Therapy and Sleep Center. “Many of the estimated 100,000 police-reported crashes each year are due to undiagnosed sleep disorders, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This isn’t something you can ignore and hope that it goes away. It’s just not worth putting yourself, your family and other drivers at risk for serious injury or even death.”
Endeavor Therapy and Sleep Center has started a Community Awareness Project to provide interested individuals with a free ApneaLink™ sleep screening. It’s as simple as calling to make an appointment to pick up the device. Trained professionals will provide instructions on how to use it. The device records breathing patterns during sleep.
The report is made available to the individual and their primary care physician who can then write an order for a complete overnight sleep study at the center. Endeavor’s sleep physicians are available for anyone who doesn’t have a primary care physician.
Endeavor is partnering with the National Sleep Foundation to urge drivers to ‘drive alert, arrive alive.’ The summer season brings with it many factors that may result in disturbed sleep and sleepiness. This includes medications taken for allergies, pain caused by sunburn, and uncomfortable heat and humidity. The resulting sleepiness may result in delayed reaction times, diminished judgment and vision, problems with short term memory, decreased performance, and even moodiness and increased anger.
“Prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs of drowsiness,” says Block. “Your eyelids may droop. Your head starts to nod. Yawning becomes constant and your vision seems blurry. You realize you’ve veered onto the shoulder of the road or into incoming traffic and quickly straighten the wheel. Next time you may not be so lucky, and could cause a traffic accident.”
Block provides these tips for drivers to follow before hitting the road:
- Get adequate sleep. Most adults need 7-9 hours to maintain proper alertness during the day.
- Schedule proper breaks. Stop about every 100 miles or two hours during long trips.
- Arrange for a travel companion, someone to talk with and share the driving.
- Avoid alcohol and sedating medications. Check your labels or ask your doctor.
- Avoid driving during or close to times you would normally sleep, especially overnight. Natural sleep rhythms create more sleepiness at these times.
What about the use of caffeine?
The National Sleep Foundation advises that caffeine takes about 30 minutes to begin working. The best thing to do is to pull over for a coffee or other caffeinated beverage, take a short nap, and then get back on the road. Keep in mind that the effects of caffeine are lessened for people who drink it regularly.
Block cautions that untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea can result in serious health concerns including Type 2 diabetes, high-blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, sexual dysfunction, work-related accidents, and an overall decrease in quality of life.
Contact
Karen Block
Phone: 262-241-8892
Email: karenb@endeavortherapy.com