The lifestyle of a truck driver is not for everyone and sleep apnea can easily creep in to further complicate things.  The hours can be irregular and long. Drivers sit for extended periods of time with little physical activity.  Many of them have a diet high in sodium and fat thanks to the convenience of fast food.  While this lifestyle isn’t glamorous, it is rewarding and doesn’t have to be detrimental to the drivers’ health with the proper diet, exercise, sleep, and routine check-ups. 

Explaining Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is extremely common, however, growing obesity rates in the truck driving industry, have left drivers more exposed to acquiring it.   OSA occurs when a person’s breathing becomes obstructed during sleep due to throat muscles that relax intermittently, meaning they stop breathing.  This results in a person not reaching the full restorative REM sleep cycle.

What Does This Mean for Truck Drivers

According to the Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMCSA} reports show that over 28% of truck drivers have sleep apnea.  Those with mild sleep apnea are still qualified for truck driving jobs.  However, they must see a medical examiner to determine their fitness to operate a motor vehicle.

Disrupted sleep can decrease a truck driver’s cognitive function and cause increased daytime sleepiness.  This leads to more truck driving accidents.  While driving any vehicle requires an alert driver, truck drivers are typically going down the highway at the tune of 50 – 80 thousand pounds.  Reaction time is key and lessened if the driver is groggy.

Disrupted sleep can decrease a truck driver’s cognitive function and cause increased daytime sleepiness.  This leads to more truck driving accidents.  While driving any vehicle requires an alert driver, truck drivers are typically going down the highway at the tune of 50 – 80 thousand pounds.  Reaction time is key and lessened if the driver is groggy.

Sleepiness, dull response time, and lack of concentration are all side effects of sleep apnea.  A crash can occur in the blink of an eye.  Current times have proven that the country depends on truck drivers to deliver goods that we use in every aspect of our lives.  Sleep apnea can hinder the driver’s ability to function safely. 

Drivers can still drive commercial vehicles if they have been diagnosed with sleep apnea as long as they are compliant with their treatment.  This means they may only be granted a year on their Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC).  However, if they are not compliant, they could be denied the MEC and lose their CDL.  Bring your CPAP compliance log to all future DOT physicals. Safety is first and foremost.

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

Several risk factors can increase the development of sleep apnea.  This condition does not fully discriminate.  This condition can affect both men and women, though men are at a greater risk.  While sleep apnea can occur in those of average weight, those who are obese are four-times more likely to incur it.

Smoking can increase a person’s chances of this condition because of the possible fluid retention and inflammation often brought on by cigarette smoke.

Alcohol and pain medications can relax the muscle tissue in the throat, also elevating the risk of sleep apnea.

Sitting in a truck all day, easily contributes to poor posture and results in alignment issues with the cervical spine.  This mis-alignement is another contributing factor.

Those with a larger neck are more prone to sleep apnea.

Lastly, this condition can also run in some families.

Recognizing the Symptoms

The main symptom of sleep apnea is excessive daytime sleepiness.  Additional symptoms of sleep apnea include the following:

• The size of the neck
• Restless Sleep
• Loud snoring with brief periods of silence followed by gasps
• Falling asleep during the day
• Morning headaches
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability, mood or behavior changes
• Forgetfulness
• Anxiety and depression

Should you be experiencing three or more of these symptoms, it would be wise of you to consult a physician.

What if it Goes Untreated

There are further risks involved if sleep apnea gets ignored.  Possible risks include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Cardiac risk
• Hypertension
• Irritability
• Erectile dysfunction
• Depression
• May lose your CDL

Take Action

Now that you better understand sleep apnea, you can become proactive in addressing the issues that can contribute to this condition; sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and healthier choices.  We encourage you to check out our Trucker Transformation program at www.truckertransformation.com. We developed this program and believe it is the best method to support truck drivers prior to them actually incurring additional health issues. 

Or, if you want to join a group of drivers supporting each other on their weight loss journey, click HERE to join our free Trucker Transformation weight loss group.

However, if you have already been diagnosed, the most common treatment for sleep apnea is the continuous positive airway pressure machine.  A CPAP machine is a device worn during sleep that increases the air pressure in the throat so the airway doesn’t collapse when breathing in, allowing the deep restorative sleep needed.  Be compliant with your treatment and you will be able to continue your profession.

Keep yourself safe as well as others on the road and see your doctor if you feel you have undiagnosed sleep apnea or the symptoms.

For More Information

Click HERE to hear more about OSA from the FMCSA.

When you need a DOT or CDL Physical in Grand Junction or Fruita Colorado, you can schedule online by clicking HERE

First Aid Occupational Health provides the most affordable and smoothest DOT experience in Grand Junction. You can call for more information at 970-712-8193.

Click HERE to Schedule a DOT Physical in Grand Junction