Spinal Injuries in a Car Accident
If you’ve been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury after a car accident, whether you were the victim or you were partially at fault, you need to know something: as many as 77 percent of people suffering from spinal injuries also suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous condition, and you’ll need to be diagnosed by a doctor as soon as possible if you suspect that you have it.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes you to stop breathing during the night. Your sleep partner might notice that you pause for a long time between breaths, or perhaps you snore uncontrollably; maybe you gasp for air periodically. Despite these signs, sleep apnea can be tough to detect – but if you have a spinal cord injury, there’s a good chance that you have it.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea after a Spinal Cord Injury
Some of the symptoms of sleep apnea are apparent during the day, as well. You might:
- Feel sleepy during the day, but have difficulty staying asleep at night. Because sleep apnea prevents you from getting a good night’s rest, you won’t wake up feeling refreshed in the morning.
- Wake up with a dry mouth, a sore throat, or a headache. Many people who have sleep apnea have to breathe through their mouths at night, which often causes these symptoms.
- Have attention problems. Sleep apnea robs you of the ability to revive your mind during sleep, and that makes it tough to concentrate and focus during the day.
Sleep Apnea, Spinal Cord Injuries and Car Accidents (Oh My!)
It’s important that you have your physician evaluate you for sleep apnea if you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident. It’s often a direct result of the injury, and it will likely require continual medical care; that means it’s important to diagnose early and before you file a personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible.
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