Hypoxia and Medicine

Husband Always falls asleep while driving is this a medical condition?

Yesterday my husband got into a wreck and totaled his truck. This the the 3rd or 4th time since OCtober he has wrecked.. He has fell asleep more while driving just woke up in time. I told him he is not allowed to drive anymore.. Would this be a medical condition. Sometimes he will be standing up asleep. ?? This is weird. He gets enough sleep.

Public Comments

1. could be narcolepsy...should really get checked by a doc and not drive until then
2. If your husband is aware of a pre-existing problem which affects his consciousness (in other words, he knows that he's fainted/fallen asleep etc unexpectedly in the past) then by continuing to drive he's commiting a crime. In otherwords, yes- he should go to the doctor, and no, he should not be driving, he can be arrested for that. I agree, it could be narcolepsy- he should go to a doctor and, if it's confirmed, he may be informed he can't continue driving, even if he gets treatment. It may be inconvenient for him, but I imagine it would be more inconvenient for the people he will end up killing if he stays on the roads!
3. Narcolepsy is a possibility, but the road can be very hypnotising, as I'm sure you know, and my husband does the same thing. He falls asleep while driving, he's always slapping himself in the face or sticking his head out the window to wake up... Bit scary I know. If he's been in wrecks, I would suggest going to a doctor. The doctor may be able to suggest a type of medication, or even vitamin that helps him stay concentrated or awake while driving. Good luck.