sleep apnea treatment

BMI does not take into account Lean Mass (muscle), so most men fall in the overweight category. Hopefully the DOT and CSA base your readings for sleep apnea on more than just BMI. That is where the neck circumference and blood pressure come into play. Also, the borg scale.

 

For the time being, I'm sticking to running in Canada only. I have no want to pay for a study that I don't need done, because of a few indexes, which includes neck circumference. I have a larger neck, and it's muscle, which worked nice when doing Jiu-Jitsu. Made it harder to be choked out.

 

Here's another little read on how stupid the BMI is.

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Believing-in-Unicorns-and-BMI.pdf

 

BMI over 35 (or 33 in another study) and neck size over 17 have been shown in studies to be coorelated with being HIGH RISK for having sleep apnea. High Blood pressure, diabetes and some other conditions also are correlated with having sleep apnea.

So.... the doctors use things like... if you fall asleep in the waiting room of the DOT physical, have a BMI over 33, have a neck size over 17... as INDICATORS..... that you might be at risk for sleep apnea.

If the DOT medical examiner looking at all of your risk factors feels you are at high enough risk for sleep apnea they can and do give you a 90 day conditional card to get tested for sleep apnea.

This junk people are posting about not being able to drive with.......is truck stop hype...

It's just part of what the doctor's look at to decide if you should get tested for sleep apnea.

 

what happens if you pass all the test but have a big neck you have to get the dang sleep test done?? I have less than 30 days to get it done.

 

I just answered a similar sleep apnea question for someone else on this forum. Here was my response:


"Hi friend,

I spend a ton of time studying nutrition and health. Sleep apnea is often related to a thyroid disorder.

That said, conventional doctors are generally very bad at treating this illness.

I would strongly encourage you to see your local naturopathic doctor. (They go to graduate school for four years, just like conventional doctors).

Actually, many chiropractors know how to take care of this problem as well (believe it or not). Though I would encourage you to call around before making an appointment with one. (Ask the doctor, "Have you had much success treating sleep apnea?")

Personally, I suspect that a good naturopathic doctor will be able to help you cure your sleep apnea... at which point a truck driving career will be no problem for you.

Hope this helps,
James"

 

There is a story in this months Land Line that truck companies are using this to get rid of drivers. The OOIDA is filing suit against this practice