Sleep Deprivation

What is Sleep Deprivation?

Sleep deprivation is defined as the inability to get enough sleep at night. Millions of Americans suffer from this common sleep disorder and it often remains undiagnosed. There are many causes of sleep deprivation that include stress. Stress affects our bodies in many ways and causes major unrest. Other causes may stem from health conditions that do not allow our bodies to obtain adequate sleep. Many individuals blame outside stressors from work or children for a lack of quality sleep. This may not be the case in some situations. The lack of awareness culminates for years and years without addressing the problem. Our bodies deteriorate slowly because of the sleep deprivation.

What are the consequences of sleep deprivation?

There are many consequences for sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep can affect our daily health and performance. Sleep deprivation creates a significant reduction in performance and alertness. Many Americans rely on caffeine to make it through the day. Reducing nighttime sleep by as little as one and a half hours can reduce overall performance by 32%. Memory and cognitive ability are impaired because of the body's inability to process due to lack of sleep. Irritability is another factor that is attributed to sleep deprivation. This puts stress on your family as dealing with minor issues can cause an eruption of emotions. Health and performance are affected by sleep deprivation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has attributed 100,000 automobile crashes yearly resulting from sleep deprivation.

The long term consequences affect the health of the body. Some of these consequences are serious medical illnesses. High blood pressure, obesity, mental impairment, psychiatric problems and depression are all serious medical consequences from sleep deprivation.

What are the treatments of sleep deprivation?

According to the American Sleep Disorders Association approximately 70 million Americans suffer from a type of sleep disorder. Most sleep disorders go undiagnosed and untreated. Therefore it is important to recognize the symptoms resulting from sleep deprivation. Obtaining the body's required hours of sleep and increasing quality sleep will help alleviate sleep deprivation. Maintaining a healthy diet and regular level of activity are important to achieving quality sleep. It is important to restrict exercise up to four hours prior to bedtime. Exercise releases endorphins that wake the body up.