Sleep Deprivation
What is Sleep Deprivation?
Sleep deprivation is the lack of sleep over a cumulative period of time which can cause physical, social, and emotional symptoms which affect routine performances of tasks.What are the causes of sleep deprivation?
Figuring out the habits and choices that you make which affect your sleeping can help you identify what you need to alter or work on to get more sleep.Try to develop a sleep diary, where you record the details of each instance of good sleep. Some information you might include would be the date, what you ate during the day, a general amount of time that you slept, how many times that you woke up, whether or not you exercised during the day, and whether you were taking any medications.
You might not be able to change some decisions like what time you head to or return from work, and other obligations. However you can take certain steps to get more sleep once you know the causes of sleep deprivation.
Medications can also interfere with sleeping. There are numerous effects to taking medications which could add onto sleep deprivation of the person and cause insomnia, tiredness, and restlessness. Sleeping pills which are taken over a long period of time could lose their effectiveness. If you are having trouble sleeping because of your medication you should contact your doctor.
What are the effects of sleep deprivation?
Sleep deprivation can have serious effects on your health. In one study where sleep was deprived to mice, it proved to be fatal. The test mice died after two weeks of receiving no sleep. With the ability to rest the brain's ability to function diminishes. Some effects of sleep deprivation are listed below:
- Cognitive impairment
- Decreased reaction time and accuracy
- Depression
- Greater risk of heart disease
- Growth Suppression
- Hallucinations
- Hypertension
- Immune system weakens
- Impaired moral judgment
- Irritability
- Memory lapses or loss
- Risk of Obesity
- Tremors
Stress and Sleep