Sleep Apnea
What are they and how do they affect your health and driving safety.
Sleep Apnea. What are they and how do they affect your health and driving safety
If you snore at night, you might be suffering from OSAS, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.
A condition that is as common as it is underdiagnosed. But what happens during a sleep apnea?
In short: the airways at the level of the pharynx become blocked, no air reaches the lungs, and a reduction in blood oxygen levels occurs.
It’s called apnea because during this phase, we hold our breath just as if we were diving underwater.
After a few seconds, fortunately, we come back to the surface, the apnea is interrupted by a brief awakening, and breathing resumes normally.
Up to 15 apneas per hour is considered mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), from 15 to 30 apneas/hour is moderate, and over 30 is defined as severe OSAS.
The impact of OSAS on our well-being
Generally, those who suffer from sleep apnea report various symptoms, including non-restorative sleep upon waking, a feeling of fatigue, and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), along with concentration and attention deficits. These disturbances become more pronounced the more severe the OSAS.
THE SYMPTOMS EXPERIENCED DURING THE DAY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND OUR ABILITY TO PERFORM TASKS AT WORK, AS WELL AS WHILE DRIVING.
OSAS and the Risk of Driving Accidents
It is estimated that people suffering from OSAS have a risk of driving accidents 2 to 7 times higher than a healthy individual. In the general population, the mortality rate in accidents is 5.62%, while OSAS patients have double the risk (11.4%).
IN 2014, IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT IN ITALY, DUE TO OSAS AND THE RESULTING EXCESSIVE SLEEPINESS, 7,300 ACCIDENTS OCCURRED, RESULTING IN 231 DEATHS, 12,180 INJURIES, AND A DIRECT COST OF ABOUT 2 BILLION EUROS.
A DISORDER WITH TRULY SIGNIFICANT INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIAL REPERCUSSIONS.
How to Find Out if You Suffer from OSAS
After so much negative information, here comes some good news.
Symptoms
Recognizing the Symptoms
OSAS is, in fact, a condition that is easily diagnosable and treatable. If you snore loudly at night, wake up feeling tired in the morning, and experience daytime sleepiness, you may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
Test
Undergoing a Polysomnography
To find out, you just need to undergo an exam called polysomnography, which can be done in a hospital or at specialized Sleep Medicine centers. This choice can not only improve road safety but also safeguard your health.
Tips to Reduce the Risk
Avoid Heavy Meals in the Evening
Avoid Sleeping on Your Back
Do Not Smoke
Avoid Alcohol in the 2 Hours Before Sleep
Avoid Sleeping Pills or Tranquilizers
Engage in Physical Activity
Finally, for those with very mild symptoms who have already experienced some obstructions, it may be helpful to start using a decongestant or an anti-allergy nasal spray. However, the number one recommendation is always to consult your doctor.