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If you find yourself frequently resorting to multiple strategies like opening the window, sipping tea or coffee, or turning up the radio to stay awake while driving, you might be dealing with more than just a love for road trip rituals. A study led by an Indian-origin researcher suggests that such excessive coping strategies may be indicative of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness.
Published in ERJ Open Research, the study warns that people with untreated OSA are at a higher risk of road collisions, emphasizing the importance of identifying signs that could indicate the sleep disorder.
OSA is characterized by loud snoring, interrupted breathing during the night, and frequent awakenings. However, many individuals with OSA may not be aware of their condition.
Dr. Akshay Dwarakanath from St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK, noted that up to one-fifth of road collisions may be attributed to fatigue or sleepiness. Identifying individuals with OSA who are at a higher risk of driving incidents becomes crucial in addressing this public safety concern.
The research involved 119 individuals with OSA who were not undergoing treatment, compared to 105 individuals without OSA. The findings revealed that those with OSA were more likely to employ coping strategies while driving to stay alert. Nearly one-third of people with OSA frequently used more than three coping strategies, while none of those without OSA used more than three.
The study also highlighted that individuals with OSA who used more than three coping strategies reported feeling sleepier in general, especially while driving. Moreover, they were more likely to have experienced a crash compared to OSA patients using fewer coping strategies (22.8% vs. 2.4%).
Common coping strategies mentioned by people with OSA included opening the window, consuming tea or coffee, and increasing the volume of the radio. Other strategies included singing or talking to themselves, shifting positions in the seat, chewing gum or eating, stopping for a walk, fidgeting or exercising, stopping for a nap, and washing their face in cold water.
Dr. Dwarakanath emphasized the challenge for doctors in assessing their patients’ fitness to drive, considering the potential impact on livelihood, especially for professional drivers. However, he stressed the duty of doctors to discourage patients from driving if they are at a high risk of causing a collision. Identifying these warning signs becomes crucial in ensuring road safety and preventing potential accidents due to untreated sleep disorders.
