{"id":80,"date":"2025-06-12T16:05:57","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T16:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drlauragramse.com\/blog\/?p=80"},"modified":"2025-07-16T16:09:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T16:09:37","slug":"the-dangers-of-drowsy-driving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drlauragramse.com\/blog\/2025\/06\/12\/the-dangers-of-drowsy-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"Asleep at the Wheel: The Dangers of Drowsy Driving"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Have you ever felt so tired you could close your eyes for two seconds and immediately fall asleep? While that\u2019s extremely helpful when it\u2019s time to go to bed, it can be very dangerous in situations where being awake is vital, such as when you\u2019re behind the wheel. It\u2019s called drowsy driving, and studies have shown that it can cause mental impairment similar to drunk driving. In fact, research has found that just 24 hours of sleep deprivation affects the body the same way a blood alcohol (BAC) of 0.10% does!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re struggling to get a good night\u2019s sleep despite going to bed and waking at a reasonable hour, you could be suffering from sleep apnea<\/a>, which may lead to sleep deprivation. Here\u2019s how treating this condition can help get you the rest you deserve so you\u2019re safe and well rested behind the wheel and in your everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is typically caused by your airway becoming obstructed during sleep. There are three main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA) and complex sleep apnea, where both OSA and CSA occur simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this condition, the patient struggles to breathe, waking repeatedly throughout the night. They often gasp or choke for air and may have no recollection of these episodes. When they \u201cwake\u201d in the morning, they likely feel tired and lethargic, as if they didn\u2019t get any sleep at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone can have sleep apnea; however, it is most common among patients who are overweight, male, and over the age of 50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the symptoms of sleep apnea differ from person to person, they may include some or all of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n