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Sleep deprivation can lead to road accidents

Fatigue-related traffic accidents usually involve no more than one or two vehicles. Yet, they are the most destructive of all to life and property, say the studies.

"Sleep is a very important drive. Studies performed on rats at the University of Chicago suggest that total sleep deprivation leads to death within two weeks," says Dr Haleh Azarpazhouh, psychiatrist at Jebel Ali Hospital, Dubai.

Dr Azarpazhouh, quoting another recent study, says that chronic partial sleep loss for as little as one week can lead to metabolic and endocrine changes that are precursors to specific disease states (eg. obesity and diabetes) and are also relevant to ageing.

"Decreased total sleep time is often associated with circadian dysfunction either on a voluntary basis (eg. shift work) or involuntary basis (eg. in ageing), making it imperative to determine the importance of circadian factors that lead to decreased sleep and the health consequences associated with chronic sleep loss," adds the doctor.

Research shows sleepiness accounts for 15 to 20 per cent of accidents on monotonous roads, such as motorways. "Accidents peak around 2-7am and 2-4pm, when the body’s biological clock dictates that sleepiness is higher," says a study.

Men aged below 30 are more likely to be involved in a sleep-related accident. It has been shown that taking a nap (of less than 15 minutes) and taking caffeine (150 mg, equivalent to two cups of coffee or two cans of energy drink) are effective in counteracting sleepiness, especially when taken together, says the study.

"Reductions in road traffic injuries may be achieved if fewer people drive when they are sleepy or have been deprived of sleep, or drive between 2am and 5am," says the doctor.

"Our bodies have an in-built alarm clock which tells us when to sleep and when to be awake," says Dr Azarpazhouh, adding that this 'alarm clock' is called the circadian rhythm.

Explaining the process, Dr Azarpazhouh said that in a healthy person, circadian rhythms follow a characteristic pattern over a 24-hour cycle.

"Melatonin, a hormone closely associated with sleep, is mainly secreted just after bedtime. Temperature tends to fall in the evening; it is this drop in body temperature that is partly responsible for the desire to sleep at that time. In the early morning, temperature begins to rise, signalling the body that it is time to wake up. Normally, this system is regulated by a number of external cues of which the most important is daylight. When the system is disrupted, the body will have conflicting signals for sleep and wakefulness," he said.

"Those of us who don't have the luxury of an afternoon nap still tend to get sleepy around this time. Interestingly, people who increase their night-time sleep find that this afternoon 'dip' disappears. A 10-minute nap at lunchtime is just as effective. The nap schedule could mean the difference between sluggish performance and peak performance," said the doctor.

"On the other hand, sleep problems can be a key sign of depression. What people do not realise is that the reverse is also true — sleep disorders can actually trigger mood disorders and depression," says Brian Green, Director Cardiopulmonary/Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Centre Excellence at American Hospital.

Accidents on Dubai roads

SHAIKH Zayed Road has been dubbed the most dangerous road in Dubai, accounting for 10 per cent of road fatalities during the first six months of this year.

A recent report issued by the Roads and Transport Authority shows that among the 157 people killed, 32 were nationals.

As a result of 915 traffic accidents 1,457 persons were injured during the first six months of this year.

Youths aged between 18 and 25 are the main victims. About 80 per cent of major accidents are due to speeding.

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