Don’t look now but sleep apnea problems are not just limited towards people who work the usual 8 to 5 shift. Truck drivers, known to be out in the road until the wee hours of the morning will be tested as well apparently to address road mishaps for truck drivers that fall asleep behind the wheel.

Sleep is not an excuse for most companies since ordinarily, they will have been understood to get the necessary rest period before they go out and do their job. Apparently, the growing number of mishaps have been a cause for alarm and using sleepiness as the main problem will have to be curved and justified.

Studies have shown truck drivers have a 20 to 30 percent incidence rate for obstructive sleep apnea, much high than individuals over 40.

(Source) My Fox

Check out this snore stopper, a new way of stopping your snoring husband or wife. It uses snoring frequency and biofeedback techniques. At $80, this might be a great solution for all your past sleepless nights.

Reduce snoring frequency and volume with natural biofeedback techniques. A simple wrist belt worn while sleeping allows the Snore Stopper’s biosensors to detect snores. The unit then issues a gentle electronic wave of light stimulation onto superficial skin. Rather than waking the snorer, this 5-second impulse merely causes a reflex—either a change in body position or an increase in throat muscle tension—much like the nudging of a spouse. Studies report that approximately 80% of snorers have shown improvement when using the Snore Stopper—a unique subconscious approach that’s much less expensive than surgery, dental appliances and machines. Added benefits include better breathing while sleeping, and fewer next-day difficulties such as sleepiness, headaches and irritability. Take it along when you’re traveling: unit is compact, light and includes carrying case. Entire kit includes manual for use; self-adhesive electrode pads (3 pairs); moist alcohol wipe; storage case; screwdriver and wrist belt with magic tape and hook. Includes auto power-off function after 8 hours.

Check out this article on “Snooze, you win”. It’s got some great information and will add to your list of excuses for falling asleep in work.

When billionaire adventurer Steve Fossett broke the record for around-the-world solo jet flight last March, he slept just 60 minutes in 67 hours of flight time — 60 minutes broken into two- and three-minute naps. “I slept when I needed it and awoke refreshed,” he says. Fossett, who holds world records in ballooning, sailing, and flying, adds that none of his feats could have been done without these micro-variety “power naps.”

THE NANO-NAP: 10 to 20 seconds Sleep studies haven’t yet concluded whether there are benefits to these brief intervals, like when you nod off on someone’s shoulder on the train.
THE MICRO-NAP: two to five minutes Shown to be surprisingly effective at shedding sleepiness.
THE MINI-NAP: five to 20 minutes Increases alertness, stamina, motor learning, and motor performance.
THE ORIGINAL POWER NAP: 20 minutesIncludes the benefits of the micro and the mini, but additionally improves muscle memory and clears the brain of useless built-up information, which helps with long-term memory (remembering facts, events, and names).
THE LAZY MAN’S NAP: 50 to 90 minutesIncludes slow-wave plus REM sleep; good for improving perceptual processing; also when the system is flooded with human growth hormone, great for repairing bones and muscles.

via mensjournal