Higher Risk of Accidents
As many as 200,000 automobile
collisions in the United States and 1,500 deaths that result are caused by sleepiness.
Studies support that drowsy driving is as risky as alcohol-impaired
driving.
- Estimates on fatigue
as a cause of automobile crashes may be as high as 56 percent.
- An extensive 1997 survey
indicated that accidents involving motor vehicles or machine tools occurred
twice as often in people with moderate or severe daytime sleepiness, compared
with those without daytime sleepiness.
- In a 1995 poll,
33 percent of those surveyed said they had fallen asleep while driving, and
10 percent were in collisions due to fatigue.
Sleep Apnea as a Cause of
Obesity
Obesity and sleep apnea
have a chicken and egg relationship. It is not always clear which condition is responsible
for the other. For example, obesity is often a risk factor and possibly a cause
of sleep apnea, but it is also likely that sleep apnea increases the risk for
weight gain.
- Some studies indicate
that sleep apnea disrupts rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep, which, in turn,
increases the risk of obesity.
- Research indicates that
animals deprived of REM sleep tend to eat more.
- People with apnea may
also become too tired to exercise and gain weight as a result.
Mental Functioning
One study found that older
people with sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness have lower scores on tests for
cognitive functions. Another researcher suggests that treating sleep apnea in older
patients may correct some cases of dementia that are caused by sleep disturbances.
Elderly people with sleep apnea may also be more prone to depression.
Headache
A few studies strongly suggest
that sleep disorders, including apnea, may be the underlying causes of chronic
headaches. Many patients with Sleep Apnea wake up with headaches. Treating the Sleep Apnea may alleviate the headaches.
