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Adverse Effects of Sleep
Deprivation
Sleep deprivation
affects millions of adults every year in the US. Sleep deprivation refers to the lack of necessary amount of
sleep as a result of sleep disorder such as insomnia. A good night sleep can do wonders to our body and mind.
Sleep is necessary for restoration and repair of our body. However, our modern lifestyles has many
distractions which keep a person from giving sleep the highest priority.
An average adult needs
about 8 hours of sleep each night at regular schedule to main good health and optimum performance. However, a
person suffering from sleep deprivation may not even know that they are not getting adequate sleep. People
who are more susceptible to suffering from sleep deprivation include night shift workers, those in the
medical profession, truck drivers, teenagers and parents. Sleep deprivation can affect a person in many ways,
some can be severe.
Accumulation of inadequate sleep over a period of time may seriously impair the
body's ability to metabolize glucose, which will lead to early stage Diabetes Type 2. This will also cause more
glucose to store as fat, thus lead to obesity and weight gain. Inadequate sleep can also lead to other disorders
such as asthma, heart disease, mental illness and common cold due to weaken immune system.
Mentally, sleep deprivation can seriously affect the brain function. Our brain
is constantly working hard during the day and it is important to let the brain rest and recharge. Studies have
found that sleep deprivation can result in losing control over speech. Sleep deprivation will also slow down the
brain functioning ability, making it difficult to learn new skill or process new information. This has been
confirmed by studies showing slower problem solving skill in sleep deprived people. When it comes ot driving
abilities, sleep deprivation is comparable to alcohol intoxication, which decrease the judgement abilities and
reaction time.
Sleep deprivation can have serious consequences in terms of mental functions. Sleep
deprived people tend to suffer anxiety and stress, resulting clinical depression or, worse, bipolar disorder. The
sufferer tend to be consistently in sadness and pessimism. Some people show extreme anger and inability to control
their emotions. In fact, sleep deprivation is the major cause for road rage. Other effects include irritability,
hyperactivity, impatience and general confusion.
Some Useful Resources on sleep disorders and sleep
deprivation:
National Sleep Foundation
http://www.sleepfoundation.org
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
http://www.aasmnet.org
American Insomnia Association
http://www.americaninsomniaassociation.org
Sleep Research Society
http://www.sleepresearchsociety.org
NIH National Center for Sleep Disorders Research
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/sleep
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