Archived Questions
Question of the Week - July 12, 2001
"I fall asleep while driving. I can sleep for 12 hours and still get in a car and fall to sleep. Is there a disorder with these symptoms? I can't drive long distances without falling asleep."
Benton
Answer to the Question of the Week
Most sleep specialists regard the tendency to fall asleep while driving as a genuine emergency. Something must be done immediately because accidents caused by falling asleep at the wheel are almost always serious and may also involve innocent victims. Chronic sleep deprivation and obstructive sleep apnea are the two most likely causes of your symptoms. If you are extremely sleep deprived, sleeping for 12 hours will not prevent drowsy driving the next day. If you habitually sleep 12 hours, a sleep disorder is much more likely to be the cause of drowsiness. Once again, you should consider this an emergency and get an appointment with a sleep specialist immediately, either directly or through your primary physician. Not knowing where you live, it is difficult to recommend a specific sleep center. I can however, recommend that you visit a sleep disorders center that has been accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. This means that the center has been reviewed to assure they are providing patient care consistent with the high standards set by the Academy. The location of a nearby sleep disorders center that is accredited can be found on the Academy website.
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