Sleep apnea is a condition that is increasing in the general population globally. It can cause people to briefly stop and restart breathing dozens or even hundreds of times throughout the night.
People with sleep apnea tend to wake up tired in the morning even though their breathing interruptions don’t often awaken them. The fatigue felt in people with sleep apnea is experienced because they are prevented from sinking into a deep refreshing sleep.
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Sleep apnea can cause various problems, including fatigue, overeating, inability to perform at work, and irritability. New research has also found that people with sleep apnea have risky driving habits to top off this list. This new study found that for every eight additional breathing interruptions per hour, the odds of performing dangerous driving such as speeding, accelerating suddenly, or breaking hard increase by 27%.
The study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis was started after a relationship was found between older adults who are more likely to develop sleep apnea and a higher link for these same people to be seriously injured or killed in a car accident. The study’s findings published in the journal Sleep suggest that older adults should be screened for sleep apnea and treatment offered so they may continue driving safely for longer.
The incidence of older adults with mild sleep apnea is thought to be between 30% to 50%. However, adults with this sleep disorder don’t often have daytime sleepiness or other evidence of impairment, so it may not come to medical attention easily. These findings suggest that physicians may want to lower the threshold to evaluate older adults for sleep apnea and track their breathing interruptions.
People over the age of 65 are usually the most responsible drivers on the road. They drive defensively, obey speed limits, and avoid driving at night or in bad weather. However, some health conditions may interfere with their safe driving. This includes Alzheimer’s disease, vision loss, and sleep problems. If they suffer from any of these medical conditions, they may be showing risky driving habits that are uncharacteristic.
The Importance of Sleep
Reasons for getting a good night’s sleep are often discussed to prevent disease, reduce daytime sleepiness, and perform better at work. But this new research sheds some light on the importance of sleep for operating a car safely.
Sleep Sure Plus is a unique formula that could help improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety. It includes melatonin, the essential hormone that is responsible for regulating the circadian rhythm, improving the quality of sleep, and improving mood. This formula also includes valerian, one of the best natural ingredients for promoting rest and relaxation.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
