{"id":823,"date":"2022-10-05T08:52:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-05T08:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/?p=823"},"modified":"2022-10-26T08:56:22","modified_gmt":"2022-10-26T08:56:22","slug":"sleep-apnea-and-the-dangers-of-drowsy-driving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/2022\/10\/sleep-apnea-and-the-dangers-of-drowsy-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleep Apnea & The Dangers of Drowsy Driving"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you suffer from sleep apnea in Ponte Vedra Beach, then you probably know all about how the condition can impact your daily routine\u2014including your commute to work! But driving while tired is seriously risky, and your sleep apnea is actually endangering your life in these situations. Here\u2019s more about sleep apnea and how it can cause problems including drowsy driving, along with some common signs of the condition and how your dentist<\/a> can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Dangers of Drowsy Driving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your sleep apnea is causing you to wake up repeatedly throughout the night, you\u2019ll experience daytime fatigue, among other symptoms. Doing anything while exhausted might prove challenging or risky but driving while drowsy is much more dangerous than you may realize. Microsleeps are when a person dozes off for just a few seconds, and when they occur while you\u2019re driving, the chance of a car accident happening drastically goes up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And even if you aren\u2019t falling asleep, the sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea can lead to mental impairment. In fact, according to research from the National Sleep Foundation, drowsiness can negatively affect your driving performance in a way similar to alcohol. Additionally, data shows that drowsy driving results in a disturbingly high number of auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are 6,000 deadly crashes every year caused by drowsy driving!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated, drowsiness isn\u2019t the only problem your sleep apnea will cause; serious health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and even diabetes can develop. To avoid all of these symptoms, some common signs and symptoms you should watch for include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n