While poor sleep can cause mild daytime fatigue or inability to concentrate, it can occasionally have disastrous consequences. A recent study conducted in Finland found that insufficient sleep was a major cause of fatal fatigue-related motor vehicle accidents. It also showed that driver health factors such as sleep apnea or acute and chronic disease were risk factors for these types of accidents.

Sleep apnea not only affects your health but, as this study shows, it can put you and other people in danger. While we don’t mean to scare you, it is important that sleep apnea sufferers understand the severity of their condition.

Do You Have These Symptoms?

If you recognize the following symptoms, you could be dealing with sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder:

  • Loud snoring
  • Waking up during the night choking or gasping for air
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Morning headaches
  • Forgetfulness or mood changes

Sleepiness while driving is included in such symptoms, which is why it’s important to be aware of the importance of adequate sleep.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

The good news is that treatment is available for sleep apnea. Depending on your specific condition, we can recommend either a dental appliance or a breathing assistance device at night, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

Treatments can improve your sleep and decrease the occurrence of loud snoring and waking frequently during the night. They can also protect you from serious health risks caused by sleep apnea such as heart problems and stroke. Benefits of treatment also include:

  • Improved daytime alertness: Your sleep pattern returns to normal, allowing you to wake up refreshed and boosting your energy.
  • Improved concentration: Treatments restore your ability to think more clearly, concentrate and make decisions.
  • Improved emotional stability: Improved sleep can decrease risk of depression and improve your mood.

Above all, treatment benefits can help you avoid dangerous situations, such as driving with the effects of inadequate sleep. Please call our Granger, IN sleep practice for a consultation so we can help restore your sleep and keep you safe.