"It is completely possible that an untreated sleep disorder played a key role in causing the recent 31-vehicle crash near Los Angeles," says Dr. Jonathan Greenburg, a Southern California specialist in sleep disorders like sleep apnea. "Nobody will ever know, but it brings awareness to the fact that untreated sleep disorders can be potentially deadly," says Greenburg.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 2 out of 5, or more than 32 million people, say they have actually fallen asleep at the wheel within the past year. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics conservatively show that 100,000 drowsy driving crashes are reported each year, killing more than 1,500 Americans and injuring another 71,000.

November 5 - 11, 2007 is the first annual Drowsy Driving Prevention Week™, a national public awareness campaign to save lives and advocate preventative measures at a state level (Drowsy Driving Prevention).
   
Often, untreated sleep disorders contribute to the risk of drowsy driving. Patients with undiagnosed sleep apnea are among the highest at-risk groups.

Sleep Apnea affects over 18 million Americans. Untreated, it contributes to heart attacks, high blood pressure and stroke. Despite the fact that most insurance and Medicare cover the cost for diagnosis and treatment of Sleep Apnea, 80 - 90 percent of individuals remain undiagnosed largely because people are unaware there is a problem.

Dr. Jonathan Greenburg, one of Southern California's leading authorities on sleep apnea, recommends three simple steps that people can take immediately to find out if they or their loved ones need treatment. "What many people believe is simple snoring can actually be a serious danger signal. Corrective treatment can stop the damage while restoring a person's natural alertness, energy and healthy sleep patterns."

Here are some of the things the public needs to know to protect themselves and their loved ones from an accident or even death:

1. Why is the National Sleep Center launching the 1st annual "Drowsy Driving Prevention Week" Nov. 5 - 11?
2. There's much national awareness about drunk driving. "Drowsy Driving" doesn't sound nearly as serious a problem. How does it affect us?
3. Why are truck drivers at particular risk? Who else is at risk?
4. How do I know if my snoring or my loved one's snoring is a danger sign?
5. What exactly is sleep apnea? How does it affect the quality of a person's life?
6. How does untreated sleep apnea cause permanent, irreversible damage to the heart?
7. What is the correlation between stroke and sleep apnea?
8. If sleep apnea is so dangerous, why is it under diagnosed?
9. How does a sleep center work?
10. Once a person is diagnosed with sleep apnea, what are their treatment options?
11. Why do some people avoid following through with getting treatment?
12. What does C-PAP intolerance mean?
13. What is the success rate of alternative treatments?
14. What positive advancements in treatment can give sleep apnea sufferers hope to regain a healthy and productive life?

Join Dr. Greenburg on a live telecast Wednesday November 7 for information that can save lives -- maybe even your own. Find out more about sleep apnea, narcolepsy and snoring treatment