Achieving a restful night on the road is a challenge for many truckers, and for those with sleep apnea, it can be nearly impossible to get the necessary REM cycles to recharge for their next shift. This presents a serious risk for individuals operating 80,000-pound trucks traveling at 60 mph.
Sleep apnea is often linked to obesity, which, according to Healthy Trucker of America, impacts half of the country’s truck drivers. A study from the University of Pennsylvania, funded by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the American Transportation Research Institute, estimates that sleep apnea—ranging from mild to severe—could disrupt the sleep of 28% of commercial truck drivers.
The most prevalent form is obstructive sleep apnea, which leads to blocked upper airways, making breathing difficult. This can result in up to 30 disruptions in breathing each night, hindering the ability to achieve deep sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, insufficient sleep adversely impacts memory, performance, and cognitive function. Severe sleep deprivation can lead to neurological issues such as mood swings and hallucinations.
Healthy Trucking of America (HTA) has reported that 62% of its member drivers suffer from some type of sleep disorder, surpassing obesity and heart disease. A 2014 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that 35% of adults don’t get at least seven hours of sleep, leading to fatigue. Lack of sleep is also associated with increased caloric cravings, contributing to weight gain.
“Given a truck driver’s lifestyle, achieving REM sleep is difficult,” said Jon Slaughter, the new CEO of HTA. He noted that after securing a parking spot, completing paperwork, and connecting with family late in the evening, finding time for adequate rest becomes challenging.
For professional drivers, drowsy driving can significantly slow reaction times and, in extreme cases, lead to falling asleep behind the wheel—resulting in 846 fatalities in 2014, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Slaughter aims to highlight the chronic health issues and lack of proper regulations affecting truckers. He explained that drivers often catch “sleep snacks” during breaks but never get quality rest. The job’s sedentary nature compounds obesity issues, while the extensive time spent alone in a truck can lead to depression, creating a vicious cycle that the industry cannot afford given the current driver shortage, estimated at 85,000. He cautioned that while being diagnosed with sleep apnea doesn’t automatically lead to losing a DOT certification, moderate to severe cases can render a driver unsafe and at risk of losing their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
A Potential Solution?
A prevalent method for addressing sleep apnea is the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, featuring an air pump, hose, and mask for nighttime use. While effective in reducing breathing interruptions, these machines necessitate electricity and require meticulous cleaning to prevent mold buildup, which can be uncomfortable and cumbersome for truckers who live in their cabs for extended periods.
A company named Alaxo Airway Stents may have addressed these concerns with the AlaxoStent—a straightforward medical device. Users self-insert a 6-inch tube containing a mesh stent made from shape memory metal nitinol into the nasal passage. Upon removal of the tube, the stent remains in the pharynx (the area between the nasal cavity and esophagus), expanding to clear the airway and reduce obstructions that disrupt sleep.
