The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recently reported on a study showing that obstructive sleep apnea is connected to a significantly increased risk of automobile accidents. But when sleep apnea is treated properly, the risk is reduced. If you’ve recently been involved in an auto accident in Richardson and you seem to be tired during the day, then you should see a sleep expert for proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Study Results
The results of the study were first published in the March issue of the journal SLEEP, and the senior author was Dr. Ludger Grote, associate professor at the Center for Sleep and Vigilance Disorders at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Results show that patients with sleep apnea were nearly 2.5 times more likely to be the driver in an auto accident, compared to a control group of other drivers in the general population. Further risk analysis found that severe excessive daytime sleepiness, a short sleep duration of 5 hours or less, and use of sleeping pills were independent predictors of increased crash risk in patients with sleep apnea.
The study also found that the incidence of motor vehicle accidents was reduced by 70 percent among sleep apnea patients who used CPAP therapy for an average of at least 4 hours per night.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a medical condition that causes breathing to stop periodically throughout the night. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of the condition; tissue in the throat as well as your tongue relaxes during sleep, causing your airway to become blocked.
Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Morning headaches
- A dry mouth and sore throat in the morning
- Excessive sleepiness during the day
- Depression and moodiness
In addition to these symptoms, sleep apnea has been linked to more serious medical problems including high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
Treatment After an Auto Accident in Richardson
Whether sleep apnea was part of the reason you were in a car accident or not, it’s important to seek treatment from a chiropractor in Richardson.
A chiropractor offers several treatment options for patients who have recently been in a car accident including:
- Chiropractic adjustment
- Rehabilitation and rehab
- Spinal decompression
- Pain relieving chiropractic treatments
If you’ve been in a car accident, schedule an appointment with a chiropractor so you can avoid pain and other long- or short-term consequences. And if you’re experiencing daytime drowsiness, then please seek treatment from a sleep expert.
Meet the Doctor
Dr. Zinovy Chukhman provides chiropractic treatment after a car accident in Richardson. He is trained and experienced in helping people recover from injuries sustained in car accidents. If you need relief, call the office today to schedule an appointment.