'Doze-off' driving prevention. (Product Marketplace).SleepQuest has launched a program to encourage physicians to include sleep disorder Sleep disorder Any condition that interferes with sleep. At least 84 have been identified, according to the American Sleep Disorders Association. Mentioned in: Insomnia, Night Terrors reviews in their annual patient physicals as a measure to address the public safety issue of people falling asleep at the wheel of a car. The company cites a 2001 National Sleep Foundation survey stating that "drowsy driving" is responsible for 100,000 automobile crashes, 40,000 injuries, and 1,500 fatalities each year. SleepQuest started an advertising/direct mail campaign early this year that offers physicians a package of sleep-disorder diagnostic information that can be used in a 2- to 3-minute checkup during the patient's annual physical. According to SleepQuest, another recent National Sleep Foundation survey indicated that fewer than 10% of primary care doctors ask their patients about sleep disorders Sleep Disorders Definition Sleep disorders are a group of syndromes characterized by disturbance in the patient's amount of sleep, quality or timing of sleep, or in behaviors or physiological conditions associated with sleep. or heavy snoring snoring, rough, vibratory sounds made in breathing during sleep or coma. The noisy breathing is the result of an open mouth and a relaxation of the palate; it is frequently induced by lying on one's back. , the most common indication of obstructive sleep apnea Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) A potentially life-threatening condition characterized by episodes of breathing cessation during sleep alternating with snoring or disordered breathing. . Circle 159 on Reader Service Card |
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