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How does insomnia increase the risk of accidents and injuries?

Drowsiness and Dangerous Mistakes

Poor-quality sleep can significantly impair coordination, alertness, and general functioning,1 which increases the risk of making mistakes. Accidents in the home and on the job from fatigue-related errors can be injurious or even fatal. Sleep disorders are estimated to cost Americans over $100 billion every year in lost productivity, medical expenses, sick leave, and property damage.2

Dangers of Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving is a risky and potentially lethal activity — and a common one. Nearly 20% of all serious injuries from car accidents are caused by drowsy drivers.3 The National Sleep Foundation reported in 2007 that 100,000 police-reported crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 deaths occur due to drowsy driving each year in the U.S.4 A 22-year study revealed that getting less than 7 hours of sleep a night increases the risk of death by up to 26%.5

Sleep Facts

  • 60% of adults said they drove while drowsy in the past year, with 37% admitting they dozed off behind the wheel6
  • 10% to 20% of people who work shifts fall asleep on the job2
  • Approximately 1 in 4 people who work shifts or nights has insomnia7

You should talk to your healthcare provider about your sleep problems.

Silenor is indicated to treat patients diagnosed with sleep maintenance insomnia. Silenor is not approved to treat any other condition.

Ask for Silenor by name. There is no generic Silenor.

References:

  1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; 4th ed. DSM-IV. 1996. p.551-573.
  2. National Sleep Foundation. Sleep-Wake Cycle: Its Physiology and Impact on Health. Available at: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/atf/cf/%7BF6BF2668-A1B4-4FE8-8D1A-A5D39340D9CB%7D/Sleep-Wake_Cycle.pdf. Accessed August 2008.
  3. Institute of Medicine (IOM). Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem. April 2006 Report Brief. National Academies Press, 500 Fifth St, NW, Lockbox 285, Washington. p.1-2.
  4. National Sleep Foundation. 2007 State of the States Report on Drowsy Driving. November 2007. Available at: http://www.drowsydriving.org/stateofthestatesreport. Accessed August 2008.
  5. Hublin C, Partinen M, Koskenvuo M, et al. Sleep and mortality: a population-based 22-year follow-up study. Sleep. 2007;30(10):1245-1253.
  6. National Sleep Foundation. 2005 Sleep in America Poll: Summary of Findings. Available: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2005_summary_of_findings.pdf Accessed October 2010.
  7. Lamberg L. Insomnia Shows Strong Link To Psychiatric Disorders. Psychiatric News. 2005;40(12):21.