Help for Truck Drivers with Sleep Apnea

Posted in The Healthy Trucker by Brian · Leave a Comment 

Sleep apnea; you’ve probably heard a lot about it in recent years. It’s characterized by loud snoring, depression, restless sleep, and struggling to breathe while sleeping. If you suffer from sleep apnea, it could very well affect how alert you are during waking hours. Thankfully, there is help for truck drivers with sleep apnea.

Maybe you’re not sure if you have sleep apnea or not. Do you sleep for a full eight hours and yet feel like you need a nap? How often do you become drowsy while you’re driving? Have you ever nodded off while driving? Have you found yourself on the side of the road and don’t remember how you got there? These could be signs that you have sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea affects more than 30 million American. If you’re an adult male who is overweight, there’s 50% likelihood that you’ll develop sleep apnea. Most people with this condition also have high blood pressure. If you already have some breathing problems while you sleep, the chances increase further. Sleep apnea has a tendency to run in families so it may be a genetic condition.

Obviously, if you’re not sleeping well during the night, you’re going to be tired and fatigued during the day. But this isn’t enough to determine if you do, in fact, have this condition. If you sleep with a partner, they may be able to help you decide if you exhibit the most serious symptom – loud snoring accompanied by brief periods where the person stops breathing entirely.

Having sleep apnea could be life-threatening and should be brought to your doctor’s attention. If you do have sleep apnea, and it goes undiagnosed, you could suffer a heart attack, stroke, impotence, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Daytime sleepiness, besides being a health risk, can lead to daytime sleepiness which may result in accidents, loss of productivity, and affect your personal relationships.

To confirm a diagnosis of sleep apnea, your doctor will ask that you attend a sleep study overnight. If you do have sleep apnea they may recommend changes in your diet to help you lose weight, a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, or medication. Some doctors recommend a pillow that encourages you to sleep in a position other than lying on your back.

A study conducted in during the 1990s showed that truck drivers develop sleep apnea in the same degree that the general public does. They also found that how often a driver was able to sleep in their own bed and sleep for more than six hours. Age, sex of the driver, and their body weight seemed to be the biggest factors in whether or not they developed sleep apnea.

Even though commercial drivers have sleep apnea as often as the general public, that doesn’t mean that the condition in drivers isn’t something to be concerned about. Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder and is considered to be treatable. With some changes to your lifestyle, no surgery, and a little time, you may find your sleep apnea is actually reversible, which is a very good thing. Once your sleep apnea is cleared up, you may also find that other health concerns you have are reduced or cleared up, as well.

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No Rest for the Sick DRIVER

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It’s inevitable. At one point or another, while you’re doing your job as a truck driver, you’re going to get sick with a cold or flu. Unfortunately, it’s not likely that you’ll be able to take the time off to recuperate because when you’re not on the road, you’re not making money. When you’re a truck driver, there’s no rest for the sick.

If you’re like most truckers, you will keep doing what you have to do until you merely can’t go on. And, like most drivers, you most likely have a first aid kit filled with your normal first aid items, but also a variety of cold and flu medicines.

What is the common cold and what is the best way to combat it? Colds are the result of a mild viral infection. While it usually affects the nose and throat, you may also feel run down. Here are the symptoms that most often go along with the common cold:

• Stuffy or runny nose, quite often with a colored discharge
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever, inevitably it could reach up to 102 degrees
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Watery eyes
• Sore throat

You can expect to feel bad anywhere from three to ten days. Unfortunately, some of the symptoms such as coughing, can last much longer. Hopefully, since you spend so much of your time in your truck, you can avoid some of the extra germs that are airborne, especially during the winter months.

To avoid getting sick, be sure to wash your hands often. If you can, avoid going into truck stops where drivers from all over the country spend time, this will reduce your risk of picking up someone else’s bug. The fewer people you come in contact with, the lesser chance you’ll get sick.

The flu, or influenza, is a respiratory disease also caused by a virus. It is spread in much the same way as the common cold, but the symptoms appear suddenly. They include:

• A fever over 102 degrees
• Nausea
• Chills and sweating
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches in the lower part of the body
• Loss of appetite
• Headache

Besides staying away from others who are sick and washing your hands often, you can also reduce the chance of getting sick by getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy foods, staying away from alcoholic drinks, and reducing as much stress as possible. Drinking plenty of fluids can also help you get rid of mucous and keep you hydrated.

Over-the-counter treatments may help reduce the symptoms, and may even help you feel a little better, but you’ll still feel rough until the virus is out of your system. If you still feel bad after ten days, have temperatures over 102 degrees, or if you have other health issues, go see your doctor.

Cold and flu season is in full swing. Take care of yourself by getting plenty of rest, washing your hands often, and avoiding others that are sick can go a long way to keeping you healthy, as well. Since there’s no rest for the sick, staying healthy is your best bet. It will keep you on the road and making money.

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Hearing Problems Truckers Face

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How often do you ask people to repeat things when they are talking to you? It could be that you’re just not sure you heard what was said, or you may not have heard what was said at all. This is a common problem that truck drivers face, especially when listening to their CB radio or talking on a cell phone.

More than 28 million Americans, including many truck drivers, have some degree of hearing loss. It’s not uncommon and it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s something that occurs when we’re bombarded with loud noises in our day-to-day lives.

What exactly causes hearing loss in so many people? Sounds are measured in decibels (dB). The louder the sound the higher the decibel level is and the more damage is done to your hearing. When decibel levels are over 80 and you’re exposed to them for long periods of time, permanent hearing loss is possible.

Your truck makes noises at about 83 decibels. The highest “safe” noise level is 85 dB over eight hours. When you’re in your truck for more than eight hours a day, you’re exposed to that loud noise and it can cause hearing loss. Add to the already high dB level a radio that’s loud enough to hear, opening your window, and driving on four-lane highways and you could have added over 5 dB more. It’s no wonder truck drivers often have hearing problems.

Research has shown that truck drivers often have problems hearing simple conversations while driving, so it’s not unusual for them to miss external sounds such as horns honking or sirens coming from a distance. Crucial sound necessary for safe driving are often missed.

Hearing loss in one ear, when exposed to high noise levels each day, may mean that your hearing loss is occupational. This isn’t always the case, though. Some of your hearing loss may be due to hereditary.

Avoid hearing loss by using hearing protection when you’re working around loud machinery or using firearms. While you can’t use earplugs when you’re driving, for safety reasons, you can use them while not on the road. Unfortunately you can’t reverse the effects of hearing loss, so you may need to consider hearing aids.

Having a hearing test with each physical will help you treat hearing loss before it degrades too much.  Hearing loss may be improved by using hearing aids, but you’ll need to discuss these options with your physician. Here are different types of hearing loss:

• You may have osteosclerosis if your hearing loss comes basically from the aging process.
• Gradual hearing loss on one side only could be caused by acoustic neuroma, which is caused by a tumor on the hearing nerve.
• Ringing in your ears, dizziness, and nausea combined may indicate Meniere’s disease. Some medicines also cause ringing in the ear, so check with your doctor for a diagnosis.
• Ceruminosis is caused by too much earwax in your ears. This could cause hearing loss. Discuss with your doctor the best means to remove excess earwax.

You’re not alone if you experience hearing loss. In fact, if you’re a truck driver, it’s almost expected. Don’t forget to have routine hearing tests so the problem can be properly diagnosed and the best course of treatment started. How well you do your job depends upon your hearing. Take care of your health, and that means taking care of your hearing, too.

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Heart Disease in Women Truck Drivers

Posted in The Healthy Trucker, Women Truckers by Brian · 1 Comment 

No one wants to be told they have heart disease. It doesn’t matter what job you do, the diagnosis is a shock. Heart disease in women truck drivers is often as common as that in men truck drivers, but it’s often not reported.

According to the Women’s Heart Foundation:

• Over 8 million women in the United States have heart disease with 35,000 of that number being under the age of 65.
• Nearly 450,000 women have heart attacks each year in America; many of them (35,000 in all) are under the age of 55.
• When a woman has a heart attack, 42 percent will die within one year of the incident; only 24 percent of men will die within one year of a heart attack.
• Women who suffer a heart attack that are under 50 are twice as likely to die as men of the same age.
• Over 267,000 women die each year from heart attacks. Another 31,837 die from congestive heart failure; this is 62.6 percent of all heart failures each year.

Amazingly, the reason why most women die from their first heart attack is that they were misdiagnosed. While men have clear-cut symptoms such as sharp chest pains and numbness in the left arm, those aren’t always the symptoms women have. In fact, many women with heart problems have symptoms including nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or symptoms of the flu. They may also have pain in the jaw, neck, or back as well as overall weakness, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness.

When a woman does go to her doctor with these symptoms doctors don’t always associate heart attack with the symptoms. They may be sent home only to be taken by ambulance to the emergency room. Many women, as indicated by the statistics above, don’t survive.

To reduce your risk of developing heart disease, follow these suggestions:

• If you smoke, stop. Women who smoke can have a heart attack up to 19 years sooner than women who don’t smoke.
• If you have diabetes, take it seriously. Do what you can to keep it under control. Women with diabetes are twice as likely to have a heart attack as women who have normal blood sugar.

• If you’re overweight, now is the time to lose weight. Women that are overweight will develop hypertension which leads to heart disease.

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• Obesity is a condition that affects many women – 23% of white women, 38% of black women, and 36% of Hispanic women. This can lead to hypertension, stroke, and other diseases.

While lady truck drivers are strong women, that doesn’t mean their bodies can’t be affected. You may not like to show weakness and may even try to work through health issues rather than tackling them head on. You have the same problems, stresses, and lack of self-care as your male counterparts, but you’re also less likely to go to the doctor when you have symptoms that concern you.

Take the symptoms listed above seriously. Don’t take chances with your life. If you experience any of these symptoms, get medical attention right away. Call 911. Take an aspirin while you’re waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Be sure to tell the EMTs that you’ve taken one so they can adjust their course of treatment. It would also be helpful to have a printed list of all your medications available so they are aware of them.

Heart attacks can be prevented but you need to know you’re having a problem with your heart to consider that as a possibility the next time you don’t feel well. Find out what your risks are for having a heart attack, and then be sure to get regular check ups. Take the medications as prescribed. You know how important your truck is to your livelihood, you are more important so take care of yourself just as you would your truck if not better.
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Natural Medicine Alternatives

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You may be concerned, like most Americans, truck driver or not, that you can’t afford medicines when they’re prescribed. Not only can today’s medicines be expensive, they often have side effects that aren’t desirable. You may be looking for natural medicine alternatives that will be cheaper and less hazardous to your overall health.

As a woman truck driver, you may have to find natural medicine alternatives to treat simple illnesses. There are many available but it is wise to take the time to do research before self-medicating.

It’s amazing how many people are looking into natural or alternative health today. Herbal medicines have been around for thousands of years so they are deemed to be safe. However, before taking an herbal remedy, find out if it will counteract any of the traditional, man-made medicines you’re currently taking.

Even healthy eating and exercising can be considered an alternative form of health care. In fact, if you want to get healthy and remain healthy, these two elements can do more to improve your health than nearly anything else you can do.

So, what do you do if you’re not feeling well because of a cold and you don’t want to waste time and money on a doctor visit?  Actually there are a number of herbal remedies that can help:

Echinacea is one herb that has been shown to relieve the symptoms of a cold or flu. It has been used in Germany for years to treat minor respiratory infections. It is also believed to be an immune system stimulant which would help the body fight off infections. Research has shown that if you take Echinacea at the beginning of a cold it can help reduce the length and severity of the cold.

Garlic has been used as an antibiotic for centuries. The compound Allicin in garlic is great for helping to combat the common cold. For the best benefits, however, you want to eat it raw or drink fresh-pressed juice. Be prepared to offend the noses of those you come in contact with, though. Garlic has also been proven effective as an anti-bacterial against E. coli, Bacillus, Salmonella, Staph, and Strep germs.

As already mentioned, it’s important to find out how herbal or alternative methods of health care affect traditional medicines. For instance, St. John’s Wort is often suggested if you have a mild case of depression. However, this same herb can counteract some HIV medicines or heart drugs like warfarin or digoxin. If you’re considering taking any other herbal supplement, check with your medical doctor to be sure there isn’t a problem with them.

You can treat menstrual cramps with Valerian Root; it may also help reduce muscle aches from sitting all day. You can also take Valerian Root to help you relax and fall to sleep if used an hour before bedtime.

Make a solution of black walnut extract to treat athlete’s foot, eczema, or other skin infections. It can be used topically or made into a tincture that can be added to another drink and taken internally.
With all of the herbal remedies and alternative forms of medicine available today it’s important to do research before using any of them. The knowledge you gain can save you a great deal of money in medical bills. Look for natural medicine alternatives but don’t forget to discuss them with your doctor.

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It’s All about Heart - How Trucking Can Affect Your Heart

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Your mother or grandmother probably told you when you were a child that “you are what you eat.”  If that’s the case, what does that say about most truck drivers?  You may not literally be what you eat, but what you eat can affect your health.  Unless you are very conscientious about what you put into your body, food and trucking can affect your heart’s health.

The heart is the most active muscle in your body.  If the heart isn’t working properly, it’s a good chance you have other health issues as well.  Because muscle requires oxygen, and that includes the heart, it is important to keep oxygen in ample supply to keep it working properly.  Heart disease can be due to a birth defect that wasn’t discovered until later in life.  It could also be due to eating the wrong foods for too long and not getting enough exercise.

More truckers and their spouses are becoming aware of the importance of proper diet and exercise.  You may have been aware of this importance, as well.  In case you’re not convinced of how important it is to eat properly, here are some statistics:

• Nearly half of all deaths from heart disease happen without warning.  There may have been no noticeable symptoms of heart disease and yet this disease causes more deaths every day.
• The remainder of deaths from heart disease occurs as the patient had chest pain in some severity.  The heart attack is caused by a lack of blood circulation to the heart during strenuous activities or a stressful situation.

Pay attention to what your body, especially your heart, is telling you.  If you feel tightness in your chest, fluttering sensation, or a short sharp pain, don’t dismiss these possible early warning signs.  Experiencing any of the three symptoms, or a combination of all of them, is best handled by seeing your doctor as soon as you can.

Stress from driving, lack of sleep and eating poorly can lead to high blood pressure.  It isn’t just stressed out overweight people that develop high blood pressure.  Nearly everyone can develop hypertension but it seems there are a larger number of truck drivers with this condition.

To reduce your chances of developing heart disease you want to take the following actions:

• If you smoke, stop.  Smokers die of heart attacks twice as much as non-smokers.  Quitting will almost immediately reduce your chance of having a heart attack.
• Exercise is important for increasing your good cholesterol.  Take some time while you can’t drive to go for a walk.  It’ll do your heart good.
• Lose weight.  This isn’t an easy task but it will definitely have an effect on how likely you are to have a heart attack.
• Watch what you eat.  Instead of most of the foods you can get on the road, try to add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.  Cut down on the fat-laden foods like most fast or convenience foods.
• Use All Natural Supplements that can provide energy and help you drop

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Heart disease is a condition that no one wants to develop, however it happens every day.  With jobs that are stressful, truck drivers are at risk.  There are things you can do to reduce your chances of developing heart disease.  Stop smoking, get exercise, eat well, and lose weight to reverse the possibility of having a heart attack. 

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Ergonomic Changes to Truck Cabs Benefit Women Drivers

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Let’s face it.  Women are generally shorter than men, so a truck cab that was designed for a man doesn’t always fit women driver.  Many women are lobbying truck manufacturers to make ergonomic changes to truck cabs to make it easier for women drivers.

Maybe ergonomics is a new concept to you.  You may not know what it is.  In the simplest terms, ergonomics is the science to designing equipment to reduce discomfort, injury, and operator fatigue while the equipment is being used. 

Because women are shorter, their legs are shorter, too.  That means women drivers often have problems reaching the accelerator and brake pedals.  To compensate, some women have thought about tying blocks to the pedals.  Unfortunately, this isn’t a very good work around.  It’s not exactly safe.

Truck cabs that are ergonomic would have seats that are more comfortable to make driving less tiring.  It may even mean that the seat is adjustable to allow any size driver to reach the pedals or see out of mirrors properly.  Some newer trucks have wider seats which should make them more comfortable for anyone sitting in them.

Thankfully there are some manufacturers who are taking the needs of truck drivers, both men and women, into account when designing new trucks.  ProStar recently released a new truck that has on-center steering with steering wheel controls and multi-position column.  It’s an automatic that has an on-dash computer screen.

Some changes made to the cabs of trucks are based upon the type of driving done.  For instance, long haul drivers would have different needs than one that drove locally.   No matter who is driving, and for how long, drivers want to be able to adjust their seat to suit them and see as much of the road as possible.

Schneider National Inc. is also working toward making a more ergonomic cab.  They have worked with Atlas Ergonomics to make an “office-focused” system that allows for entirely customized cab to fit each driver.  With the changes that have been made, by all manufacturers working at improving trucks, not only are they making driving easier but they’re also relieving discomfort dramatically.

If you’re a woman driver who owns a truck, you may be interested in finding a replacement for the seat you have.  National Seating makes heavy duty, ergonomic truck seats and you may find one you like.  These seats are built based on 10 years of research and help with muscle strain and circulation problems.

Truck manufacturers are beginning to listen to drivers and are developing more ergonomic trucks.  They may also be working with seat manufacturers to provide seats that are fully adjustable to benefit women truck drivers.  Look for further improvements to be made as more women become drivers. 

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Reasons to Get Enough Sleep

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The commercial transport industry is one that never really stops.  Although the time clock may show an office closed for business, truck drivers drive at all hours of the day and night to be sure to get their loads to where they’re going.  Despite having great reasons to get enough sleep, truck drivers are often physically, emotionally, and mentally tired.

Unfortunately a driver’s desire to get their job done by pushing themselves to the point of sheer exhaustion isn’t uncommon.  In fact, statistics state that nearly two-thirds of all fatigue-related accidents can be attributed to truck drivers that should have gotten off the road.

Is it that truck drivers don’t care about the risks they face when they get behind the wheel while tired?  Of course not!  Truck drivers know the risks and the dangers, but they may also feel pressured to make their run no matter how they feel especially if they have bills to pay and a family to provide for.

Some sleep experts feel that driving while sleepy or fatigued is as dangerous as driving while under the influence.  In fact, remaining awake for 18 hours or more produces the same level of impairment as a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .05.  If you stay up over 24 hours, the impairment is the same as .10 BAC.  Anyone with a BAC of .08 is considered to be legally drunk and would be taken off the road.

What can you, as a truck driver, do?  Start by realizing that the human body needs a minimum amount of sleep in order to function properly.  You may not need eight hours of sleep a night, but it’s rare that a person needs less than six.  If you push yourself too far by forcing yourself to remain awake, either through artificial means or pushing through sleepiness, your body will eventually get to a point that sleep can’t be put off any longer.

Try to get as close to eight hours of sleep a night if possible.  If not, when you start getting fatigued, pull your truck off the road and take a nap of no more than 45 minutes.  Even a 15-30 minute break can make a difference in the amount of fatigue you deal with, and that short break shouldn’t keep you from arriving at your destination on time.

Another way to fight fatigue is to drink plenty of water.  If you’re dehydrated your body will slow down.  Stay away from too much caffeine.  Drinking more than two cups of coffee, tea or other caffeinated drinks doesn’t help you remain awake any better. 

Eat foods such as fresh fruits and whole grain breads to give your body the energy it needs.  Don’t skip meals because it will cause your blood sugar levels to fall.  Overeating will drain your energy, so eat six small meals instead to keep your blood sugar levels in check. 

If you find yourself getting sleepy but really can’t afford to take the time for a nap, pull into a truck stop, and stretch your legs.  Physical activity can help wake you up and will probably take less time than it would for a nap.  Besides helping you stay awake, being physically active could also help with blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

We all know the many reasons to get enough sleep at night.  When it’s not possible to get the recommended eight hours, recognize when you’re getting tired and use one of the ideas above to help stay awake.

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Health Issues that Make Truck Drivers Unfit to Drive

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Every two years truck drivers have to pass Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examinations.  Not all truck drivers pass their physicals.  Blood pressure, blood sugar, and body weights that are too high are health issues that make truck drivers unfit to drive.

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or morbid obesity and have lost your CDL you know things need to change.  The DOT will soon approve only registered physicians will likely make standards for passing the physical more difficult. You can start now working to get healthier and work toward getting your CDL back.

How do you get healthy?  What lifestyle changes do you need to make to get your life back on track?

First and foremost, get your family to help.  If you’ve had your CDL pulled because of a health issue like high blood pressure or diabetes, your family will undoubtedly want you to get healthier, too.  Anything they can do encourage you to eat better or exercise more will get you that much closer to getting your license back.

Get the junk out of your house.  Everyone in your family will benefit from getting rid of the unhealthy foods you may have lurking in your cabinets and refrigerator.  Chips, cookies, and soft drinks could be replaced with fresh fruits and vegetables and water or 100% juice.  Be sure to eat a variety of foods in their natural, raw form in a rainbow of colors to get the best nutritional value. 

Exercise is also important if you’re trying to get healthier.  If you’re at home, you really have no excuse for not taking the opportunity to exercise.  Get off your favorite chair, put on some athletic shoes, and if nothing else go outside and walk around the block.  Find a sport that you can enjoy and don’t forget to start out slow.  You don’t want to injure yourself by trying to do too much too soon.

Your health is important, not only to be able to do your job, but also so you’ll be around to watch your children grow up.  Being healthy can also help reduce your medical costs.  You’ll be more alert and more productive when you do go back to work.

Maybe you haven’t had your CDL pulled yet.  You may be concerned about your next physical if you have health issues that make you unfit to drive.  Don’t let DOT take your license, do something about it.  Now is the time to start working at losing weight and getting fit so you can keep your job and do it better.

Diabetes or elevated blood sugar, obesity, and high blood pressure are serious health conditions.  They can end your driving career as well as end your life.  You may want to start taking responsibility for your health now before it’s too late.

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Do You Have Any Of These Signs and Symptoms of Circulation Problems in Truck Drivers

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Over-the-road truck drivers spend most of their time sitting in their rig driving goods and materials across the country.  Since they spend so much time on their seats, it’s not unusual for drivers to develop circulation problems.  These problems can signal serious health issues so it’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of circulation problems in truck drivers before they get out of hand.

Cramping or a dull pain in the legs, numbness or tingling, skin discoloration, and cold feet are a few of the symptoms that may indicate you have poor circulation. You may also have wounds on your feet or legs that don’t heal well.  Poor energy and lack of stamina are also symptoms that your circulation is poor.  This all means your feet and legs may be dealing with oxygen starvation and could be serious if not dealt with.

What can you do about poor blood circulation?  Do you have any options besides surgery or prescription drugs?  Of course you do!  Follow these ideas to get the circulation pumping again in your feet and legs.

• Change your diet so you’re eating less processed foods and more fresh fruits and vegetables. How you prepare the foods you eat can also make a difference.  Steamed and baked are much healthier for you than fried foods.
• Add light exercise to your daily routine.  Gradually add more time and intensity to your exercise time.  This will help get the blood pumping.
• Cut down on sugar and fats in your diet. If you must have sugar and fats in your diet, be sure they’re naturally occurring sugars like those you find in fresh fruit and monounsaturated oils like you find in olive oil.
• Quit smoking.  Smoking has been proven to reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood, so quitting will give the oxygen a chance to do its job.
• Drink plenty of pure water each day. Instead of drinking only coffee or soft drinks, start drinking more water.  Your body will thank you for it because it may be dehydrated and you didn’t even know it.  Having the proper amount of water in your diet will help your liver and kidneys work better, too.

Lack of good blood circulation can lead to health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.  These are issues that many truck drivers have to deal with anyhow, so it’s important to do what you can to alleviate the problems.

Finally, you may want to try one of the seat cushions available on the market today.  These cushions have compartments in them so air can move around.  The air movement changes the amount of pressure your body feels and can help improve the blood circulation in your lower back and legs.

You may also find moving the seat closer to the steering wheel helps.  If you’re a woman, you may need extenders to help you reach the pedals easier.  Anything you can do to help the circulation keep moving, the better off you’ll be.

Try one of the non-medical methods to beat the signs and symptoms of circulation problems in truck drivers. You’ll be able to maintain your health, possibly stave off serious illnesses, and may extend the amount of time you can drive in comfort.
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