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For many people who suspect they may have sleep apnea, they aren\u2019t aware of the severity of the condition. After all, simply waking up feeling a little bit tired doesn\u2019t seem so serious, does it?<\/p>\nFor many people who suspect they may have sleep apnea, they aren\u2019t aware of the severity of the condition. After all, simply waking up feeling a little bit tired doesn\u2019t seem so serious, does it?<\/p>\n
However, sleep apnea should never be taken lightly. In severe cases, it can have real impact on your health; and can even cause life-threatening conditions such as heart attack or a stroke. It\u2019s imperative to get yourself tested, to ensure that you understand the extent of the condition, and can have it successfully treated.<\/p>\n
The Dangers Behind the Wheel<\/strong><\/p>\n Additionally, scientists from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have discovered that sleep apnea can increase the risk of being involved in a car accident. The research team used data taken from sleep apnea patients and compared them to a control population of 635, 786 people who held a driving license in Sweden. The results showed a strong correlation between road accidents and sleep apnea; and it was found that sleep apnea sufferers were nearly 2.5 times more likely to be the driver in a car accident than other people.<\/p>\n And the Good News?<\/strong><\/p>\n The study also examined sleep apnea patients using CPAP to control their condition. They found that using CPAP resulted in a 70% reduction of risk of being involved in a car accident.<\/p>\n These findings led AASM president Dr Timothy Morgenthaler to conclude that: \u2018effective identification and treatment of sleep apnea is essential to reduce avoidable, life-threatening accidents caused by drowsy driving.\u2019<\/p>\n Staying Safe Whilst Driving<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re concerned about your sleep apnea and the effect it\u2019s having in terms of your general health and safety, it\u2019s a good idea to arrange for a formal test, to assess the extent of your condition.<\/p>\n