Daytime Sleepiness and OSA

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS). An inability to stay awake, even in situations when wakefulness is important--such as behind the wheel of a car.
Fatigue. A state of overwhelming, sustained exhaustion and decreased capacity for physical and mental work that is unrelieved by rest.

Excessive sleepiness is not just a matter of feeling lousy – it can also affect mood, relationships, work, and quality of life.  According to the results of NSF's 2008 Sleep in America poll:

• 36 percent of American drive drowsy or fall asleep while driving
• 29 percent of Americans fall asleep or become very sleepy at work
• 20 percent have lost interest in sex because they are too sleepy
• 14 percent report having to miss family events, work functions, and leisure activities in the past month due to sleepiness

Each of these consequences can have an enormous impact on an individual’s health and happiness.  

One of the most serious risks associated with excessive sleepiness is drowsy driving.  NSF's 2008 poll revealed that a whopping 36 percent of American adults have nodded off or fallen asleep while driving.  Sleepiness and driving do not mix.  If you feel sleepy, you should not drive. Visit drowsydriving.org to learn how to prevent a drowsy driving-related crash.

Obstructive Sleep apnea (OSA) causes excessive daytime sleepiness. While the effects of OSA, including daytime sleepiness, alertness and concentration as well as increased risk of stroke, diabetes and heart disease, are real and severe, there are safe and effective treatments available for those who have OSA. Scientific evidence shows that CPAP is the best treatments for Severe OSA and Oral Appliance Therapy for mild and moderate OSA, plus cases of severe OSA when the patient can not tolerate CPAP.
Sleep apnea and associated daytime sleepiness and fatigue are common manifestations of mainly obese middle-aged men. The onset of sleep apnea peaks in middle age, and its morbid and mortal sequelae include complications from accidents and cardiovascular events.

While women tend to dismiss their sleepiness or fatigue as an inevitable result of their hectic lifestyles, sleepiness and fatigue can affect quality of life, safety and productivity. What's more, these complaints can be red flags for serious underlying medical conditions like OSA. It's critical that women bring persistent excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue symptoms to the attention of their health care professionals.
Feeling tired all the time?  Dozing off while reading a book or watching television? If so, you are not alone. A 1998 poll on women and sleep conducted by the National Sleep Foundation revealed that 31 percent of women report some drowsiness during the day, with 25 percent reporting significant daytime sleepiness.

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See also:

Us national Library of Medicine: Sleepiness and Car Accidents

The Relation between Daytime Sleepiness and Car Accidents

Driving and Sleep Apnea: Drowsy Driving