Sleepiness and fatigue in high-altitude mining: a review of sleep fragmentation
Somnolencia y fatiga en minería de altitud: revisión de la fragmentación del sueñoArticle Sidebar
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High-altitude mining in the Peruvian Andes faces the unique challenge of hypobaric hypoxia, a critical occupational safety risk due to the fatigue and sleepiness it induces in heavy machinery operators. Objective: to evaluate the relationship between hypoxia-induced sleep fragmentation and fatigue/sleepiness in these workers, proposing evidence-based management strategies. Methodology: a systematic narrative review (2020–2025) was conducted in PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS, following PRISMA and including 38 articles in English/Spanish. Results: findings identified that hypoxia triggers central apnea and periodic breathing, fragmenting sleep and exacerbating fatigue, an effect amplified by rotating shifts and Chronic Mountain Sickness. Conclusion: sleep fragmentation is the central mediating mechanism, recommending interventions such as nocturnal oxygen therapy and acclimatization protocols to improve safety.
La minería a gran altitud en los Andes peruanos enfrenta el desafío único de la hipoxia hipobárica, un factor de riesgo crítico para la seguridad ocupacional debido a la fatiga y somnolencia que induce en los conductores de maquinaria pesada. Objetivo: evaluar la relación entre la fragmentación del sueño inducida por hipoxia y la fatiga/somnolencia en dichos trabajadores, proponiendo estrategias de gestión basadas en evidencia. Metodología: se realizó una revisión narrativa sistemática (2020-2025) en PubMed, SciELO y LILACS, siguiendo PRISMA e incluyendo 38 artículos en inglés/español. Resultados: los resultados identificaron que la hipoxia desencadena apnea central y respiración periódica, fragmentando el sueño y exacerbando la fatiga, un efecto amplificado por los turnos rotativos y el Mal de Montaña Crónico. Conclusión: la fragmentación del sueño es el mecanismo mediador central, recomendándose intervenciones como oxigenoterapia nocturna y protocolos de aclimatación para mejorar la seguridad.
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