Dr. Virginia Loewenstine, CEO and medical director of Tristate Preventive Health, answers your questions
Q: I have been told that I snore loudly and may even stop breathing during my sleep. Should I be concerned, and will this affect my ability to be a firefighter?
A: What you are describing may be sleep or obstructive apnea (OA), a common condition during which your breathing stops and restarts many times during your sleep. Find out for sure by undergoing a sleep study.
Most initial sleep studies are now done in the comfort of your home with no one observing you, and with a device that allows you to sleep.
Sleep apnea is a big concern for firefighters, both men and women. In addition to daytime sleepiness, OA has been known to have negative effects on the body, including increased risk for disease and additional strain on the heart.
In the United States, the NFPA1582 recognizes OA as a condition that has to be treated for you to continue as a firefighter. Sleep apnea is easily treated and most people feel much better overall. Because of the negative effects on the body and the number of people who have OA but don’t know it, many fire departments have added sleep apnea screening to their annual physicals.
