According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 91,000 drowsy driving crashes that occurred in 2017. Of those, 50,000 injuries occurred and close to 800 deaths. It is believed that more than 6,000 fatal car crashes occur each year, many of which may be attributed to drowsy driving. If you are concerned that your chronic fatigue might lead to you becoming a statistic, read on to learn how a sleep dentist can help.
What Are the Dangers of Drowsy Driving?
Many individuals assume that driving under the influence of alcohol is the most dangerous thing a person can do while on the road; however, operating a vehicle while drowsy is equally hazardous. The reason is that it takes only a few seconds for a car to veer off the road and collide with another.
Whether it is a “microsleep” as it is commonly referred to or completely falling asleep at the wheel, the result can be fatal. What causes this primarily is sleep deprivation, which is one of the many symptoms associated with sleep apnea – a chronic condition that inhibits individuals from getting the rest they need because of a blockage that occurs in the airway.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea affects more than 22 million people in the United States, and the symptoms can often be mistaken for other health-related issues. If you do not have a bed partner who can alert you to instances of snoring or ceased breathing throughout the night, you may not know if you are experiencing sleep apnea. That is unless you notice any of these symptoms:
- Chronic fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Waking suddenly gasping for air or choking
- Moodiness
- Inability to focus/concentrate
- Loss of libido
- Sore throat or hoarseness
- Loud snoring
How Can a Sleep Dentist Help?
If you discover that you exhibit one or more of the symptoms listed above, it’s time to see a sleep dentist. These individuals are trained to treat sleep apnea so that blockages no longer occur throughout the night, and you begin to get the rest you need.
With customized plans that can include everything from CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy to oral appliance treatment and even combination therapy (the use of both a CPAP and oral appliance), you can begin to notice a dramatic difference in how you feel when you wake up.
Instead of getting behind the wheel and feeling as if you’re about to fall asleep, you’ll be better rested, thus reducing your risk of a crash while driving to work.
Drowsy driving is a dangerous game to play and one that many lose. Get the help you need to start sleeping better so that you feel refreshed and confident no matter where your vehicle takes you.
About the Practice
At Star Sleep & Wellness in Denton, our team of qualified sleep dentists and specialists bring decades of experience, knowledge, and training to our office, providing patients with safe and effective solutions for better sleep. When drowsy driving becomes a concern, we can build a custom treatment plan to mitigate future symptoms and improve a person’s quality of sleep so that the risks associated with chronic fatigue are significantly reduced and/or eliminated. Contact us to find out how we can help you stay safe on the road.