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What are the dangers of Sleep Disorders?
Sleep fact : Sleep disorder specialists believe sleepy drivers are more of a hazard than drunk drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy drivers cause more than 1500 fatalities and 71,000 injuries each year. That's why rumble strips were developed for highways.
People with sleep apnea may become sleepy during the day; their sleepiness may interfere with their work and personal life.
- Sleep apnea sufferers are five times more likely to have a car accident than are those who don't suffer from this disorder. The National Highway Association estimates that drowsy drivers cause 100,000 automobile crashes each year.
- Researchers are linking sleep problems to risk of death . More people die in the early morning hours than at any other time of day, presumably with some association to sleep.
- There is a strong association between illness and death rates and how long an individual reports sleeping each night.
- People with sleep apnea don't breathe properly during sleep. They don't get enough oxygen. The resulting lack of sleep can trigger high blood pressure, acid reflux, heart attack, cardiac arrhythmia, congestive heart failure and stroke.
Sleep disorders have an enormous impact upon quality of life. Millions of individuals live much of their lives in a fog of sleepiness and fatigue. |
