Obstructive Sleep Apnea Testing
Sleep apnea can do far more damage than just affecting your sleep. It can also affect your daytime alertness and performance. This is especially important for those working in the commercial vehicle industry. We encourage commercial drivers that reside in the Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, San Jose, or San Ramon areas who think they may have sleep apnea to visit one of our nearby offices for testing. Spark Sleep Solutions offers comprehensive sleep apnea testing and snoring treatment.
When left untreated, sleep apnea can make it difficult to stay awake and react quickly while driving. Many studies have shown that people with untreated sleep apnea are at higher risk of being involved in motor vehicle accidents that are fatigue-related. Don’t wait until it’s too late, see one of our sleep apnea doctors for a test and diagnosis today!
The FMCSA and Sleep Apnea
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, is an agency in the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that regulates the trucking industry. A study sponsored by FMCSA and the American Transportation Research Institute of the American Trucking Associations found that nearly one-third of commercial truck drivers suffer from mild to severe sleep apnea.
While FMCSA regulations do not address sleep apnea directly, they do state that an individual may be medically disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle if they’ve been diagnosed with any condition that can interfere with their ability to drive safely. But when treated successfully with a CPAP machine or other oral device for sleep apnea, a driver can regain their “medically-qualified-to-drive” status.
If a DOT medical examiner finds that a truck driver has obstructive or central sleep apnea during a routine physical exam, that driver could be disqualified from driving until a sleep test is completed and any prescribed treatment program is set in motion.
If you are a commercial truck driver, it’s of the utmost importance that you are wide-awake and very alert while behind the wheel. If you do have untreated sleep apnea and you drive for a living, you should definitely seek help for your condition as required by the government. If you are unsure if you have sleep apnea, you can undergo a sleep test from our sleep apnea doctors at Spark Sleep Solutions to determine whether or not you suffer from this condition.
Home Sleep Tests & Oral Sleep Appliances for Sleep Apnea
Commercial truck drivers can be disqualified for a DOT medical card if they have untreated moderate to severe obstructive or central sleep apnea. Truck drivers who are showing signs of sleep apnea may qualify for a home sleep test to determine if they have the condition.
This type of test is inexpensive, accurate, easy to use and comfortable. It also provides quick results and includes a diagnosis and report from a sleep apnea doctor or certified sleep technician. Our practice coordinates with physicians throughout the Bay Area to make it easy for you to get the testing you need.
Furthermore, now drivers have an alternative to the CPAP mask with over 100 FDA approved oral sleep appliances. This type of sleep apnea treatment is portable, requires no mask, no electricity, and is much more comfortable. It is the number one alternative to the CPAP machine for sleep apnea and snoring treatment.
Contact Spark Sleep Solutions for Your Sleep Apnea Test Today
Don’t risk injury to yourself or others from falling asleep at the wheel due to your obstructive or central sleep apnea. This disorder can be successfully treated with a variety of oral devices offered by Spark Sleep Solutions. Through simple testing, our sleep apnea doctors can diagnose your sleep problem and recommend the best snoring treatment options for you. Visit one of our locations today in Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, San Jose, and San Ramon or give us a call at 408.490.0182 to learn more. A good night’s sleep is only a visit away!