Sleep deprivation is a common problem in modern society. Everyone seems so engulfed in the trappings of modernity and the urge to make more money than they now consider sleeping as a waste of time. One is considered sleep deprived if they are unable to get the recommended number of hours of sleep every night, and it is astonishing that 58% of the adult population in the world is sleep deprived.
This is a serious issue and it has come with devastating health consequences such that any sane person who desires to live a productive life must ensure they have adequate sleep every single night. If you want to avoid chronic sleep disorders, poor performance at work, accidents, emotional difficulties and other conditions related to sleep deprivation, then it is important to have the right information on sleep deprivation. Â
Hard facts on sleep deprivation
Here are some hard facts everyone ought to know about sleep deprivation, and which you should take seriously because the consequences may be very unpleasant-:
- Sleep deprivation alters the normal functioning of the brain and may interfere with one’s ability to focus
- Sleep deprivation has been a major culprit in tragic accidents involving ships, trains planes, and motor cars
- Children and young adults are more susceptible to the negative effects of sleep deprivation
- It can be an indication of an underlying sleep disorder or other medical complications
- When you are sleep deprived, you begin to accumulate what is known as sleep debt, and just like ordinary debt, you don’t want to accumulate a lot of this debt. Remember, it is always a good thing to pay debts in good time and never allow them to accumulate.Â
Symptoms of sleep deprivation
There are quite a number of ways you can use to tell if you are sleep deprived. Some of the common symptoms include-:
- When you get easily irritated
- You have a depressed mood all the time
- You tend to forget a lot of stuff, including things you just did or recently interacted with
- You don’t have any form of motivation
- Increased or reduced appetite
- Reduced sexual urge
- You are having difficulty in learning new things
- You are fatigued, yawn a lot and you also feel moody
- You can’t concentrate because you have a fuzzy head all the time
- You are clumsy in everything you doÂ
Effects of sleep deprivation
The consequences of sleep deprivation are wide and varied and will most certainly be detrimental. A range of your body systems will be affected, and you will never feel like you have a normal life anymore. Here are some of the potential effects of being deprived of good quality sleep-:
Impaired immune system – When you don’t get enough sleep, your immune system is likely to be weakened because the production of cytokines used for fighting infections will be hampered. It means you will be more susceptible to a range of infections and once you get the infections, you will find it very difficult to heal or recover from diseases.
Higher risks of getting respiratory diseases – recent studies suggest that sleep deprivation may put you at higher risk of suffering from advanced respiratory diseases.
Effects on your body weight – if you don’t get enough sleep, you are likely to see a change in your body weight. The hormones ghrelin and leptin are responsible for controlling the feelings of satiety and hunger respectively. The levels of these hormones in your blood system are greatly affected by how much sleep you get every night. If you are sleep deprived, their levels will fluctuate and this will have a direct impact on your weight. Additionally, sleep deprivation also affects the release of insulin into the blood system, and this may lead to increased fat storage by the body, putting you in more danger of getting type 2 diabetes.
Increases the risks of cardiovascular diseases – enough sleep is important in helping the heart vessels to heal and also to rebuild – a vital process in maintaining the right blood pressure, blood sugar level, and inflammation. When you are sleep deprived, you will increase the chances of suffering from a myriad of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack.
Hormonal imbalance – lack of sleep tends to interfere with the hormonal balance in the body because the production of certain hormones will be inhibited while the production of other hormones will be encouraged. For example, lack of enough sleep will interfere with the production of human growth hormone and testosterone which are all vital for a number of function in the male human body.Â
Treatments for sleep deprivation
When a person is a sleep deprived, due to either psychological or physical difficulties, it is imperative for them to get treatment as soon as possible in order to avoid all the consequences of sleep deprivation. A sleep specialist or a therapist should be consulted to give the right guidance on how the affected person can cope and be able to regain their ability to sleep well at night again. When it comes to treatments for sleep deprivation, there are two main avenues which can be considered and this include-:
Behavioral and cognitive approaches – these are some of the best treatments for sleep deprivation. They are wholesome approaches that require no medication and they include techniques such as stimulation control, relaxation techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy. These approaches may also entail an evaluation of your sleep routine as well as your sleeping environment in an attempt to try and see if there are obvious impediments to a good night rest. Sometimes, change of the bedroom set up, including change of bed and mattress may be recommended.
Medications – the other way to deal with sleep deprivation is through medication. Currently, there are a number of drugs available to help people fall asleep and help them stay asleep for a number of hours. Some of these drugs are available over the counter, but it is recommended that you should never take them without getting a prescription from a sleep specialist.
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