A new study out from the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health today reveals people with sleep apnea not only double their risk of being in a severe car crash -- but they also suffer serious injuries.

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder where sufferers stop breathing -- usually for up to a minute at a time -- while they sleep. There is also often frequent wakening throughout the night, and consequently sufferers feel tired during the day. Research now shows these interrupted sleeps can put someone's life in danger. Across the board, people with sleep apnea, whether they feel sleepy or not, are involved in more serious motor vehicle crashes.

Dr. Najib Ayas, from the Vancouver Coastal Health Sleep Disorders program told CTV, "Basically what we found is those crashes that would be more severe so that is crashes in which a person was injured in the crash, actually had any where from three to five times the rate of motor vehicle crash."

Five to ten per cent of the population suffers from sleep apnea, but two thirds of patients don't even know they have it.

Dr. Rhonda Low's additional comments

The following factors can increase your risk of sleep apnea:

  • Just being a guy. Men are at two-three times increased risk compared to women
  • Being obese
  • Having a thick neck: For men that's a neck circumference of 17 or more inches, and 16 or more inches for women
  • Snoring, suggesting there's some obstruction when you breathe.

Bed partners might notice you stop actually breathing, gasp, or choke during the night or toss and turn a lot. You might wake up feeling tired or have a headache. You may also feel sleepy during the day, falling asleep at work or while driving. Some report feeling irritable, anxious, and even depressed.

Treatment options

Sleep apnea is a serious health problem because the oxygen level in your blood actually drops as you stop breathing. This causes a stress reaction in your body and is associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and weight gain. If you think you may have the problem, see your doctor who can refer you for testing to monitor your oxygen levels while you sleep. The best way to treat the sleep apnea is to use a c-pap machine which prevents your airways from collapsing while you sleep, giving you the oxygen you need. With these new results about car crashes, experts say even people with "mild" sleep apnea who've had a "near miss" car accident should be treated.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Dr. Rhonda Low