Treating Sleep Apnea in Truckers

Well, it's really no surprise. A recent study indicates that treating sleep apnea in truckers lowers health care costs and disability rates. We're talking about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder I've blogged about several times. People with OSA briefly stop breathing multiple times during the night when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep their airway open. This results in fragmented, poor sleep, as well as low blood oxygen levels. OSA has been associated with an increased risk for myriad health problems, including hypertension, heart disease, mood and memory problems.

The findings of this latest study:

• On average, treatment for OSA led to more than 6,000 in total health plan and disability cost savings per treated driver.
• Total costs decreased by 41 percent in drivers treated for OSA (compared to an eight percent decrease in untreated drivers).

That's a significant cost savings. But what about cost savings for other industries? Since treating OSA has been shown to lower accident rates, I would guess that other industries that carry a high risk for accidents could benefit as well. Think about pilots, captains of cargo ships, commercial fishermen, and just about anyone who drives a lot (attention: anyone who lives in a commuting city!).

Treatment for OSA is pretty straightforward. There's no magic pill, but there's the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, or CPAP.  This device, which forces the airway to stay open so breathing is possible, is the best we have right now for treating sleep apnea.  Sleep becomes much more restful and solid; it also quiets the snoring that frequently accompanies that apnea. People who sleep with a snorer often rejoice, as data shows that sleeping with a snorer can steal about 1 hour of sleep. CPAP has others ways of saving lives; I've written about the life saving benefits of CPAP in earlier blogs.

Because people who carry extra weight are more prone to OSA, it often helps to drop a few pounds. (I know, easier said than done.) Sometimes, just eliminating the weight factor can cure OSA. I don't dare suggest that the cliche rings true about truck drivers, but in a brief study conducted by the American Dietary Association back in 2007, 86 percent of the truck drivers surveyed were overweight, with more than half tipping the obese scale.

So, it wouldn't surprise me to see OSA being problematic among this group of people. It doesn't help that truckers typically keep erratic schedules, sleep in less-than-ideal settings and often fall under the category of being a shift worker, which carries its own set of risks.

But for anyone -- trucker or not -- who has been diagnosed with OSA, seeking treatment can result in measurable results that go far beyond monetary rewards. There's something to be said for an enhanced quality of life. A better night's sleep. A more vibrant sex life. A stronger heart. An easier time controlling weight. And yes, all those things are related to an OSA-free life.

Sweet Dreams,

Michael J. Breus, PhD
The Sleep Doctor™
www.thesleepdoctor.com

This article on obstructive sleep apnea is also available at Dr. Breus's official blog, The Insomnia Blog by Sleep Doctor Michael Breus, PhD.

 

 

 

Follow Dr. Michael J. Breus on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thesleepdoctor

Comments

[Conk]

01:52 PM on 06/07/2010

CPAP SUCKS! How can any human being sleep with that contraptio­n on their face? CPAP is simply one challenge after another. You figure out one part and another surfaces. Then you have the time lag of visiting the doctor and the equipment people, everyone pointing blame at the other. Let's try this, let's try that, let's let you die because we can't figure it out either. Screw it, just hit me over the head with a mallet!

[Willow-the-Witch]

12:06 PM on 06/07/2010

Trucker Bobbo,

How far does your semi travel in 10 seconds? With nobody controllin­g it? How many people could it kill in that time?

I've worked as a sleep technologi­st for several years and truckers are one of the most at-risk groups I see. In this area, they tend to be overweight­, have other health problems, and in generally poor health. Add in issues like smoking or drinking and the sleep-depr­ivation that comes with driving for hours and you have a hugely at-risk group.

In order to "score" an event as an apnea, it need only last a total of 10 seconds. (I've seen patients who stop breathing for 10 seconds or more at a time 100 or more times per hour). Each one of those correspond­s to an interrupti­on in sleep. The result is poor sleep and sub-optima­l performanc­e during the day. Sleep apnea patients tend to be extremely tired during the day and prone to cognitive problems. Sometimes they doze off for brief, almost impercepti­ble, periods of time. If that happens at your computer desk, the worst that may happen is you get fired. If it happens behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler­, the consequenc­es can be severe. The same is true for bus drivers, airline pilots, and anyone else who constitute­s a public safety risk. At-risk drivers who continue to work without treating their condition are a liability the rest of us can't afford.

[trucker bobbo]

08:42 PM on 06/06/2010

How much money does Dr. Brues receive from the c-pap manufactur­ers? They are manufactur­ing a problem that does not exist,for the profits generated by sleep tests, office visits,and the sale of of the c-pap devices...­..they are already funneling millions to the politician­s who right the regulation­s for trucking..­. so why not bring a few doctors onto the payroll? Sales will be thru the roof.

[texasblu]

09:11 PM on 06/05/2010

I have a friend who works for a home health agency and has no health insurance. She is diabetic and she can barely afford her test strips and medication­. There is no way she can afford the sleep study or the prescribed equipment.

[Willow-the-Witch]

12:22 PM on 06/07/2010

Many of the labs I've worked in will work with patients like your friend to help her get a study. Cash discounts & financing may be available. There are at-home testing devices which may be used. An in-patient test can be done as a "split"--d­iagnostic & treatment in one night. And used equipment may be available. All of these are less expensive options which may be worth checking into if she really needs a study.