The Cedar Park Professional Fire Fighters Association with KXAN Austin News' Rob Scott sheds light on sleep disorders that are prevalent among firefighters and are independent risk factors for the two top causes of death in the line of service.
The study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found 37 percent of nearly 7,000 participating firefighters screened positive for sleep disorders. Among the disorders are sleep apnea, insomnia, shift work disorder and restless leg syndrome. Of those screened positive for sleep disorder, more than 80 percent were not diagnosed or untreated.
"The study found firefighters with sleep disorders are twice as likely to get into a crash compared to their well-rested peers. They were also twice as likely to have cardiovascular disease or diabetes and more than three times as likely to report depression and anxiety."
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