US Pharm.
2006;31(9):122.
Sleep-Deprived Truck
Drivers at Risk of Accidents
For commercial
truck drivers, not getting enough sleep can have deadly consequences. "In the
United States, approximately 5,600 people are killed annually in crashes
involving commercial trucks," said lead investigator Allan L. Pack, MB, ChB,
PhD. "Falling asleep while driving is an important factor in serious crashes
involving commercial vehicles." Dr. Pack and his colleagues at the University
of Pennsylvania assessed truck drivers for sleep apnea. They found that of the
406 drivers included in the study, nearly a third had mild-to-moderate sleep
apnea. The researchers concluded that the two biggest culprits of accidents
are chronically insufficient sleep and obstructive sleep apnea.
Food Allergies Extend
Beyond the School Cafeteria
Risk of accidental
exposure to food allergens is just as life threatening in classrooms, on field
trips, and even on materials used in art classes as it is in school
cafeterias, according to The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), a
nonprofit, patient advocacy organization providing education and awareness on
food allergy and anaphylaxis. It is estimated that more than two million
school-age children have food allergies, and for many, even trace amounts of
an allergen can cause anaphylaxis.
FAAN cautions educators and
parents of school-age children with food allergies that any prop or project
with food that contains any of the top eight allergens increases the risk for
causing a reaction. These allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts
(i.e., almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, etc.), fish, shellfish,
wheat, and soy.
Centenarians Are Generally Content with
Their Lives
Most centenarians are
satisfied with the lives they've led, content with their current health and
well-being, and well prepared for the future, according to a survey conducted
by Evercare, a leading provider of health plans for frail, elderly, disabled,
and chronically ill individuals in the U.S.
Sixty-one percent of
respondents indicated they would not have done anything more with their lives,
while 78% said there was nothing they would have done less of. Some
respondents said they would have traveled more and worked less, while others
said they would have spent more time with their families. Some admitted they
should have spent less time sitting around and doing nothing, exercised more,
saved more money, or pursued more education.
When asked what the best
periods of their lives were, ages 20 to 39 ranked highest. Approximately
three-quarters of respondents said that faith and spirituality play a central
role in how they are preparing and approaching for the future, with an equal
number of respondents believing in life after death. Respondents said the
biggest changes in society over their 100 years of life have been in
transportation and technology, and in people's values and attitudes toward one
another.
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