The purpose of sleep is to rest, to rejuvenate, and to allow our bodies the time it needs in order to prepare for another day. Sleep should allow you to wake up feeling refreshed and ready for whatever comes along during the course of the day. However, millions of American do not experience sleep as it should be because of sleep apnea. Since sleep apnea does not allow sleep apneics to sleep properly, experience all sorts of problems including drowsiness and fatigue on a daily basis and invariably, they affect one’s work ethic.

Being sleepy while working not only causes poor performance and inconsistent quality, but in some cases can be deadly. While it may seem like a stretch, take a minute to think about it. A tired truck driver poses a huge threat to other drivers on the road and a sleepy air-traffic controller could easily make a mistake that results in the end of hundreds of lives because of fatigue. Working while tired is an all too common occurrence but rarely do we stop to think that doing so could be fatal.

Even though the physical repercussions of sleep apnea are things many sleep apneics simply put up with, the mental and emotional impact of a person losing a loved one to a heart attack or accident can destroy a family. In fact, the state of New Jersey passed a bill entitled “Maggie’s Law” which was created to target fatigued drivers. As outlined in the law, a sleep-deprived driver can legally be accused of reckless driving as well as other crimes. The law came after a woman named Maggie was hit by a sleepy driver in an accident that killed her. Other states have followed suite as well, as the dangers of fatigued driving continue to come to light.

Do you find that your nights are filled with restlessness? Are you days full of nothing but sleepiness, fatigue, and a lack of energy and concentration? Are these problems negatively impacting your work ethic and daily life? If you find that you suffer from symptoms related to sleep apnea on a consistent basis, you may have the disorder. The only way to be diagnosed is with a sleep study. Once diagnosed, seeking sleep apnea treatment is critical. With effective treatment, which doesn’t necessarily mean CPAP, you’ll find that you sleep better, breathe better, and live better! Contact our dental office today to schedule a sleep apnea treatment consultation.