Business
FAA to Evaluate Obese Pilots for Sleep Disorder
New Policy to Requiring Screening for Factors That Increase Risk of Sleep Apnea
By
Andy Pasztor
Updated Nov. 20, 2013 8:24 p.m. ET
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304607104579210580183844434
FAA requirements are something of a different deal. Pilots have long been subject to unusual health rules and examinations, some of which are almost exclusive to them.
For example, pilots are discouraged, and sometimes forbidden, from drinking gin & tonic. Not because of the gin, but because the tonic has quinine, which can interfere with color perception.
People who are genuinely obese, rated not with BMI, but on the old style height-weight scale, tend to be much more prone to sleep apnea, which over time makes them significantly more susceptible to heart attack and other problems.
“It prevents restful sleep and is associated with high blood pressure, arrhythmia, stroke and heart failure.”
Any of which can be extremely dangerous for pilots and their passengers. Especially with frequent changes in air pressure, and long hours awake.