The Dangers of Sleep Apnea for Long-Haul Truck Drivers

The trucking industry plays a critical role in the US economy, providing a vital link between manufacturers and consumers. According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), there are approximately 3.6 million professional truck drivers in the United States, making driving a truck one of the nation's largest occupations. America depends on the trucking industry to help put food on our tables and gas in our cars. But while the need for these essential workers has never been greater, the demands placed on long-haul truck drivers have serious health and safety consequences.

With its seemingly endless hours of driving, life on the road can be grueling, both mentally and physically. A survey done by The National Institute for Safety and Occupational Health (NIOSH) found long-distance drivers were more likely to smoke, be overweight, and were less physically active than other US workers. It's not surprising considering that the average driver logs between 2000 and 3000 miles a week, or about 100,000 miles per year, most of this time spent sitting. Lack of healthy food options on the route and the sedentary nature of the job has led to the prevalence of obesity among long-haulers. Obesity increases the risk of other chronic health conditions ranging from heart disease and hypertension to diabetes and sleep apnea. Unlike other co-morbidities associated with obesity, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) affects both the health and safety of long-haul drivers and, if left unchecked, can put other drivers at risk. Sleep apnea is a pervasive sleep disorder that is characterized by frequent interruptions in breathing during sleep. While it is often associated with snoring, the most serious signs and symptoms of OSA include excessive daytime sleepiness and "brain fog" or an inability to focus. Continued sleep deprivation is of particular concern in safety-sensitive occupations like long-haul driving. A Harvard Business Review study on sleep deprivation found that a continued lack of sleep takes a toll on cognitive functions such as short and long-term memory, the ability to focus, and reaction speed. The National Transportation Safety Board estimates these functions are reduced by 20 to 50 percent when you lose sleep.  

If you consider that an empty tractor-trailer weighs about 30,000 pounds empty and up to 80,000 pounds carrying cargo, the ability to safely drive these powerful vehicles on our roads and freeways is of the utmost importance. Drivers need to be well-rested and stay sharply focused on their driving and have the ability to react quickly should any threats arise. The Truckers & Turnover Project at the University of Minnesota, Morris studied commercial drivers with obstructive sleep apnea. He found that those who did not commit to treatment had a preventable crash-risk five times higher than those who followed a treatment plan. Considering that up to 49% of commercial vehicle drivers are at risk for sleep apnea, according to a recent article in Transport Topics, the need to screen, diagnose and treat those with this chronic health condition is a matter of public safety as well as personal health. While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) does not currently have regulations in place requiring sleep apnea testing, new drivers must be screened and tested since trucking companies can be held liable if an accident involving a commercial vehicle driver is attributed to driver fatigue.

Once there is a commitment to testing, long-distance drivers and trucking companies face the complications of a broken sleep care system. The process of screening, diagnosing, and treating sleep apnea can involve trips to multiple isolated specialists and labs who work without a coordinated, comprehensive care plan. Traversing these silos of care is time-consuming and costly, ultimately not fitting with the long-distance driver's way of life. BetterNight has a solution that makes treating sleep apnea convenient, fast, and affordable. As a telehealth solution, BetterNight provides its full treatment program from any mobile device and eliminates the need for office visits or referrals to specialists. After an initial consult with a sleep medicine physician, BetterNight then ships a sleep apnea testing device to a convenient location for drivers. After wearing the device for one night, it is returned, free of charge. If the test is positive for sleep apnea, BetterNight ships a therapy device that will help get drivers back on the road. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy (CPAP) is the gold standard in sleep apnea therapy and one that many drivers with OSA use to improve their sleep. CPAP provides a continuous flow of pressurized air delivered through a mask that fits over the nose and mouth. This constant flow prevents the airway from collapsing and helps normalize breathing, resulting in improved sleep quality. BetterNight works directly with durable equipment companies to provide the best CPAP machines and provides counseling, and continuous follow-up with drivers and their physicians, to provide a comprehensive continuum of care. BetterNight understands the vital role that long-distance drivers play in our economy and the challenges they face on the road. By providing a comprehensive sleep care solution, BetterNight ensures better long-term patient outcomes for America's commercial drivers' health and safety.

Ready to provide your drivers with a fast, convenient and comprehensive apnea solution? Email Bill Kleiman for more information.