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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