Truck driving is a fulfilling role, but there's plenty of challenges for those in the business. Rising gas prices, the state of the roads, and the long hours can all take their toll on you. Did you know, though, that sleep apnea can be causing you problems you're not even aware of? Here's everything you need to know.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
If you've never heard of sleep apnea before, don't worry. It's a very common condition that many people don't even know they have. Sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops breathing momentarily in their sleep. It can be for a couple of seconds or a minute or two at a time, and it can happen multiple times throughout the night. It most often happens because the airways become blocked when you're relaxed and asleep, stopping you from breathing.
Many people don't realize they have this condition because the symptoms can often manifest as something else. For example, people who wake up feeling tired, suffer headaches throughout the day or even get insomnia can all be living with sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea And Truck Drivers
How does this affect you in your job? As a driver, you need to stay alert when you're on the road. Being able to concentrate is of the utmost importance when you're working with a large cargo. To do this, the best thing you can do is get a good night's sleep. If you have sleep apnea though, it could be stopping you from doing this.
You may not know you're waking in the night, usually when you start to breathe again. However, this is interrupting your sleep in a meaningful way. When this pattern repeats over and over in the night, then it can have serious consequences.
There have been reported cases of accidents on the roads, thanks to truck drivers who didn't know they had sleep apnea falling asleep at the wheel. It's a scary thought, but you can take steps to be safer on the road.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
So, how do you know if you have sleep apnea health issues? Here are some of the symptoms you should be looking out for:
- Headaches when you wake up
- Waking multiple times in the night
- Tiredness during the day
- Irritability
- Waking with a dry mouth
- Falling asleep during the day
These are just a few of the symptoms, so if you're experiencing them or any other symptoms you feel may be linked, it's best to go to your doctor and be checked out.
Testing For Sleep Apnea
There's a couple of options when it comes to testing for sleep apnea. You can either undergo a sleep test at a laboratory, or you can try a test at home.
If you get tested in a lab, you'll be connected to several devices so technicians can watch you sleep, and monitor several different aspects of your sleep. This works well, but for some people, it isn't practical. Truck drivers in particular often can't give up a night to go to a lab, so they instead opt for home tests.
The sleep apnea test cost is less than you'd think, and it's very easy to use. It uses fewer connections than a sleep lab test, and you can do it in the comfort of your own bed. Once you have the results, you'll need to go to the doctor to discuss your results.
Treatment For Sleep Apnea
Once you have the results, your doctor will examine them and decide what to do next. There are several options available to you, and they'll recommend the one that will be best for you. For example, you may need to wear sleeping equipment to keep your airways open, or take medication. Surgery is also sometimes an option.
As a truck driver, it's important to ensure that you're safe on the road. Getting a sleep apnea test is the best way to ensure that you're at peak health, and safe to drive. If you do have the condition, it can be very easy to treat. That's why you should get tested as soon as possible, and get the help you need.
VirtuOx is the leader in home sleep tests and pulse oximetry.
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