DOT Exam

What is a DOT exam?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that employees responsible for driving large vehicles, operating heavy machinery, or working in other safety-sensitive positions must provide medical documentation of their health and fitness to work. A successful DOT exam shows your employer that you can safely perform your job duties without endangering yourself or others. 

One significant condition that you need to manage if you work for the Department of Transportation, in one of these positions, is a respiratory condition called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes you to struggle to breathe at night, causing symptoms like trouble concentrating, daytime sleepiness, and even falling asleep at the wheel while you’re at work. If you show signs of sleep apnea, your physician might refer you to Florida Sleep Solutions of Jax for further evaluation.

What should I expect during my DOT exam?

During your DOT exam at Florida Sleep Solutions of Jax, your provider asks about your medical history, family history, and any symptoms you exhibit. If they suspect you have sleep apnea, they might recommend that you take part in a sleep study.

An in-lab sleep study, also called a polysomnogram, records your brain waves, your heart rate, and your breathing rate, among other variables. With the data from the study, your provider at Florida Sleep Solutions of Jax can form a definite diagnosis if you have sleep apnea. They might also perform Maintenance of Wakefulness Testing (MWT) to make sure you can stay awake throughout the day.

Once they have all the necessary information and have determined that you have sleep apnea, they create an individualized sleep apnea management plan for you to follow. With successful treatment, you can continue working for the Department of Transportation safely. 

How can I pass my DOT exam?

If your provider at Florida Sleep Solutions of Jax investigates and finds that you don’t have sleep apnea, you may be able to pass your overall DOT physical and continue your job as usual. If you have sleep apnea, your provider can help you develop a treatment plan so you can still pass your DOT physical. Your treatment might include:

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

A CPAP machine delivers air pressure to your airways to keep them open and help you breathe. Florida Sleep Solutions of Jax offers CPAP clinics to help you adjust to the therapy.

Dental appliances

Florida Sleep Solutions of Jax can test you for dental appliances using the MATRx system to make sure a dental device will work for you. Then, they refer you to a dentist who specializes in sleep medicine to design and create your appliance. 

Lifestyle changes

Weight loss and other lifestyle changes can go a long way for your treatment. Your provider at Florida Sleep Solutions of Jax can refer you to a personal trainer to help with your regimen. 

For more information about DOT exams, call Florida Sleep Solutions of Jax or book an appointment online today.