Sleep Apnea Causes Thousands Of Fatal Accidents

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There is a great deal of attention paid to sleep apnea and there is no doubt that the condition can have dramatic health effects. There is a particular concern: people with untreated sleep apnea may be less alert behind the wheel and this could make them more vulnerable to the effects of sleep loss and alcohol than healthy drivers.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the tissues at the back of the throat temporarily collapse during sleep. This leads to repeated stops and starts in breathing during the night. The result of this is poor quality sleep which can, in turn, lead to daytime drowsiness.

The numbers are startling: traffic accidents related to obstructive sleep apnea cause 1,400 fatalities in the US each year.

Another concern is that a person with uncontrolled sleep apnea can be at greater risk for high blood pressure and damage to the heart.