Can sleep apnea cause you to fall asleep while driving?

Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder that Canadians of all ages are diagnosed with. If sleep apnea is something you're dealing with, you may be wondering whether this medical condition can put you at risk of falling asleep while operating a motor vehicle. To learn more about this type of sleep disorder and the risks associated with sleep apnea, stick around for more information.

What is sleep apnea?

As we mentioned, sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder that causes individuals to periodically stop breathing throughout the night, preventing them from getting a good night's sleep. There are three different types of sleep apnea you may be diagnosed with:

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when your throat muscles relax and is the most common type of sleep apnea. These muscles support your soft palate, back of the tongue, tonsils, and uvula. Because the muscles have relaxed, the airway collapses in on itself, causing an obstruction. When the obstruction occurs, the air you breathe in is unable to reach your lungs, which sends a signal to your brain to wake you up briefly. Generally speaking, those who experience obstructive sleep apnea can wake up anywhere between 5 to 30 times in an hour, making it difficult for them to reach a deep, healthy sleep.

Central sleep apnea

Another form of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea and occurs when the brain fails to send a signal to the muscles involved with your breathing. With central sleep apnea, you may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea

Treatment-emergent central sleep is the final type of condition you can be diagnosed with. This sleep apnea is typically diagnosed once you've been involved in a sleep study and is a complex form of obstructive sleep apnea.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

There are numerous symptoms that those diagnosed with central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea experience, with many of the symptoms overlapping, which can make it difficult for a doctor to diagnose the types a patient has. Nonetheless, here are the most common types of sleep apnea symptoms you may experience:

• Loud snoring once you fall asleep.
• Headaches when you wake up.
• Dry mouth in the mornings.
• Gasping for air as you wake up throughout the night.
• Irritability once awake.
• Sleep deprivation even if you've slept for eight hours.
• Difficulty paying attention behind the wheel or during other activities throughout the day.

Sleep apnea's impact on health

When left untreated, sleep apnea can cause severe long-term health effects that can impact people both physically and mentally:

Long-term health risk

Sleep apnea has been strongly linked to heart disease as the consistent decline in oxygen levels puts stress on the cardiovascular system. This can lead to high blood pressure and arrhythmias, which can increase a patient's risk of heart attacks. According to the Government of Canada, individuals with untreated sleep disorders like sleep apnea are 2 to 3 times more likely to have heart disease.

Sleep apnea has also been linked to diabetes, as the medical condition can interfere with the body's glucose metabolism, which can, over time, develop into type 2 diabetes. Further, cognitive decline and memory issues due to poor sleep can also impair the brain's ability to concentrate and make decisions.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Persistent fatigue caused by sleep apnea can a lso take a toll on a patient's mental health. Many also experience anxiety, irritability and depression as the brain struggles to function normally without enough sleep. These can significantly impact a person's daily life, from their productivity to their ability to deal with emotional challenges. All of these factors can influence their ability to drive safely.

Ultimately, early diagnosis of sleep apnea and the right treatment plan can improve a patient's quality of life and manage other health risks.

Who does sleep apnea affect?

While anyone can experience sleep apnea, certain risk factors can put you at increased risk of this type of sleep-disordered breathing, including the following:

Having excess weight on your body

Being overweight and having excess fat on your body can put you at risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea, as the fat deposits can narrow your airway, making it difficult for oxygen to reach your lungs.

Thicker neck

Those with a thicker neck circumference could naturally have a more narrow throat and airway, which, again, would impact your breathing as they fall asleep. This may or may not be genetic and out of your control.

Narrow throat

Having a narrow throat can cause you to snore loudly and prevent the right amount of oxygen from reaching your lungs, putting you at risk of several sleep disorders.

Males

Men are typically more at risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea than women. However, women who are overweight are at an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea as well.

Over 60

Those over the age of 60 are more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea than younger individuals.

Certain medical conditions

Those who have high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and other medical conditions can also put you at risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

Drinking too much alcohol

Drinking alcohol and consuming drugs can relax your airways as you sleep. If you take substances regularly, sleep apnea can occur over time.

Nasal congestion

If you have trouble breathing through your nose, you could be at risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or other sleep disorders.

Who is at risk for excessive daytime sleepiness?

Drowsy driving can also affect those who do not have sleep apnea, including the following:

Shift workers

Doctors, nurses and other night shift workers who often work 12-hour stretches can experience trouble concentrating on their way home from work. If you are a shift worker who finds it difficult to stay awake following a work day, we recommend asking for a ride or taking a nap at your work to avoid getting into motor vehicle crashes on your way home.

Drivers who don't get enough sleep

If you suffer from insomnia or fail to get a good sleep in general, you can also put yourself at risk of driving drowsy. If you find it difficult to fall asleep, you may want to see a sleep specialist as they can help diagnose your sleep problems and ensure you get the right treatment needed moving forward.

Long haul truck drivers

Professional drivers like truck drivers are also at risk of drowsy driving accidents. Commercial drivers must ensure they sleep during their travels as it can put themselves and others on the road at risk.

Can you fall asleep while driving if you have sleep apnea?

As sleep apnea affects your ability to have a good night's sleep, you may experience trouble focusing, which can impact your driving ability. Drowsy drivers, in general, are more likely to be involved in vehicle accidents, given that it can affect their reaction time to challenges that may arise.

Additionally, if you have sleep apnea and experience severe daytime drowsiness, you can fall asleep while driving if you do not receive proper treatment like CPAP therapy so you can get a good full night's sleep.

Dealing with sleep apnea? It can seriously affect your health and daily life. At BrokerLink Insurance, we understand the importance of staying protected. Let us help you find the right coverage so you can focus on getting a good night's sleep. Contact us today to learn more and rest easy knowing you're covered!

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Statistics on drowsy driving

According to Transport Canada, drowsy driving accounts for approximately 20% of fatal traffic accidents per year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also reports that drivers who get less than six hours of sleep a night are at a much higher risk of falling asleep behind the wheel.

Looking at our neighbours below us, the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that drowsy driving is responsible for over 100,000 accidents annually in the United States and over 1,500 deaths--many of which were due to people driving with undiagnosed sleep disorders. Below, we will discuss real-life accidents related to sleep apnea:

Real-life cases of sleep apnea-related accidents

A man in Virginia who had been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea fell asleep behind the wheel of his car, waking up to several broken bones and other injuries. While thankfully no one else was involved, the driver admitted to not taking his sleep disorder seriously. The driver later reported that he made a horrible mistake and is dedicated to ensuring he does his due diligence moving forward.

Another case of sleep apnea-related crashes occurred in 2013, when a Metro-North train derailed in New York, killing four people and injuring over 60 more. The train engineer at the time reported falling asleep while the train was entering a curve in the tracks at an excessive speed, which led to the derailment. This incident prompted the United States Government to push for mandatory sleep apnea tests for all train operators and commercial drivers.

After looking into some statistics about drowsy driving and talking about real-life sleep apnea incidents, we'll explore different types of drowsy driving. It's important to know the risks involved. Understanding these can help keep everyone safe on the road. Keep reading to find out more:

Other forms of drowsy driving

Sleep apnea is just as dangerous as other forms of drowsy driving:

• Lack of sleep: Missing even one or two hours of sleep can increase your risk of falling asleep while driving. Chronic sleep deprivation, on the other hand, can significantly impair your cognitive functioning.
• Alcohol impairment: Studies show that being awake for over 20 hours can impair your ability to drive as much as having a blood alcohol content level of 0.10%.
• Medication side effects: Some prescriptions cause severe drowsiness, even though the side effects are temporary. In contrast, sleep apnea causes persistent fatigue that worsens over time and without being properly treated.

Are you still able to drive if you have sleep apnea?

Yes, those with sleep apnea and other sleep problems are still able to operate a motor vehicle. That said, when applying for your driver's licence, you will need to inform the Ministry of Transportation that you have sleep apnea. However, if your sleep apnea is categorized as severe or you have other types of untreated sleep disorders, you could be barred from driving legally, as you are more at risk of causing motor vehicle accidents.

Drowsy driving crashes can be prevented. If you experience severe or mild daytime sleepiness, it's recommended that you be evaluated for a sleep disorder to ensure you do not put yourself at risk while on the road.

How is sleep apnea treated?

If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you'll likely be fitted for a continuous positive airway pressure device, also known as a CPAP machine. As we mentioned, obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in your throat relax beyond a certain point, which causes your airways to be obstructed and cause you to stop breathing.

A continuous positive airway pressure system, therefore, works by keeping your airways open once you've fallen asleep, ensuring that your blood oxygen levels remain optimal throughout the night.

Diagnosis and treatment options

Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed through a sleep study, which can either be performed in a lab or at home:

• In-lab polysomnography (PSG): This is a comprehensive sleep test that occurs overnight in a sleep clinic. The patient's breathing patterns, oxygen levels, muscle movements, and brain activity are all monitored.
• At-home sleep apnea test: These tests are more straightforward and focus on detecting any irregularities in a person's breathing patterns. This test also measures airflow, respiratory effort, and oxygen levels.

Sleep study: what to expect

During an in-lab study, practitioners will place small sensors on your body to track your physiological data as you sleep in a peaceful, controlled environment. During an at-home test, you'll be provided a portable device to wear while you sleep in your own bed. The test results from both are then reviewed by a sleep specialist, who will determine if you have sleep apnea and its severity.

Other treatment options

Beyond a CPAP therapy machine, those who have mild sleep apnea do have alternative treatment options available to them, including:

• Oral appliances: These devices reposition the lower jaw and tongue, keeping the airway open as you sleep.
• Positional therapy: Sleeping on your back can worsen your airway obstruction. With positional therapy, special pillows and devices can train a person to sleep in different positions that keep their airways open.
• Surgery: If you have severe sleep apnea, you may be a candidate for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). This medical procedure removes excess tissue in the throat to widen your airway. Another treatment option, known as Inspire therapy, implants a small device that stimulates the throat muscles, preventing them from collapsing.

In addition to these treatments, you can incorporate other strategies to address sleep apnea, such as: Moreover, maintaining a healthy sleep environment and staying consistent with a sleep schedule can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. Additionally, regular consultations with a healthcare professional ensure that your approach remains tailored to your evolving needs. Additional strategies may also include:

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes are also helpful in reducing symptoms:

• Weight loss: Excess weight around the neck can restrict the airway. By losing weight, you can significantly reduce or eliminate your sleep apnea symptoms.
• Smoking: Smoking agitates the airway, making it more likely to collapse during sleep. Quitting smoking can lead to breathing and sleeping improvements.
• Avoid alcohol before bed: Alcohol relaxes the throat muscles, which can cause them to collapse. Avoid or reduce your alcohol intake before bed.

Are there any medications that can improve sleep apnea?

Yes, there are certain medications patients can take to help improve their sleep apnea. Common medications that may be prescribed by your doctor include respiratory-stimulating substances and medications to promote sleep in general. It should be noted, however, that medications are often prescribed in addition to other forms of treatment and may not be recommended for all patients, given the severity of the disorder.

Additionally, do not consume any medications for sleep apnea unless they have been approved and prescribed by your doctor, as taking over-the-counter medications could worsen your condition and put you at risk of serious side effects.

Legal and driving implications of sleep apnea

In Canada, some provinces like Ontario and British Columbia require drivers diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea to obtain medical fitness clearance from a physician before they can legally drive. If left untreated, it can lead to daytime sleepiness that impairs their reaction time and ability to concentrate.

In the United States, regulations will vary between states. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) handles regulations for commercial drivers on a national level, whereas in Canada, this is handled provincially. These consequences might also include:

Legal consequences

If a driver with untreated sleep apnea causes an accident, they can face serious legal consequences, including fines, the suspension of their license, and possible criminal charges under the Criminal Code. For commercial drivers, accidents linked to sleep apnea could lead to job terminations and legal suits.

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FAQs about sleep apnea

Can sleep apnea be cured?

No, sleep apnea can't be cured, but it can be successfully managed with the right treatment plan. For example, losing weight, quitting smoking, using a CPAP machine, or trying positional therapy are all ways that can help keep your airway open as you sleep.

Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea?

If you snore loudly and are worried you might have sleep apnea, know that this isn't always a sign of this medical condition. Snoring can happen because of alcohol consumption, nasal congestion, and more. If your snoring is paired with gasping at night, daytime drowsiness, and other symptoms, you may want to get tested.

Does sleep apnea always require treatment?

Yes, even mild cases of sleep disorders should be monitored and treated as it can help prevent long-term health issues and risks while driving.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.