Ask Moo


can you still drive after being diognosed with sleep apneoa

Can you? Yes. Should you? Well, that depends on the individual. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA):

The ASAA does not believe that individuals who are excessively sleepy because of a diagnosed but untreated sleep disorder should drive; they are a risk to themselves and others. However, there is no indication that an adequately treated sleep disorder increases anyone's risk for a fall-asleep crash. In fact, recent research indicates that treatment of sleep apnea with a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine reduces the risk of a fall-asleep crash to that found in the general population.

So, sounds like if you've been formally diagnosed and treatment is going well, driving shouldn't be a problem. However, if it's undiagnosed or treatment isn't working, maybe one should take a break from driving for a while. Ultimately, if you're asking on behalf of yourself, I would recommend speaking with your doctor to assess your own personal situation.

question submitted by: Carol