| We need 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily. However, we | | | | sleepiness and insomnia |
| neglect the precious sleeping time and are busy | | | | Consequences of Sleep Deprivation: Psychological |
| burning midnight oil on things we think are more | | | | Effects: Lack of sleep can cause both short-term and |
| important. When a person does not have quality sleep | | | | long-term effects. The initial effects of sleep |
| for a sufficient period, it can cause sleep deprivation. | | | | deprivation are drowsiness, memory loss, and irritability. |
| Sleep deprivation can result in depression, anxiety, | | | | In case of chronic sleep deprivation, a person may |
| increased stress, irritation and many other negative | | | | experience blurry vision, loss of judgment, and inability |
| consequences. So, if you find yourself drowsy and | | | | to concentrate. Continual sleep deprivation can also |
| have a hard time fighting off sleep during the day, its | | | | cause severe mental effects such as hallucinations, |
| time to get proper sleep. | | | | mania, and nausea. |
| As per the research study published in British journal | | | | Sleeplessness not only puts you at an increased risk |
| Occupational and Environmental Medicine, people | | | | of motor vehicle accidents, work accidents, but it can |
| without sleep for 17 to 19 hours are worse than people | | | | also decrease your work productivity. Irritability, anxiety |
| who were drunk. Sleep deprivation, if it is consistent | | | | can in turn cause problems in your social life. |
| and chronic, can lead to loss of judgment, loss of | | | | Physiological Effects: Sleep deprivation can also cause |
| reasoning, confusion etc. | | | | severe health problems. When people do not sleep |
| Causes of Sleep Deprivation : | | | | properly for several months, they can develop |
| Many of us do not get quality sleep to meet the | | | | diabetes type 2. Many studies have even linked lack of |
| demands of our busy lifestyle. To balance the work | | | | sleep to obesity. Other health consequences of sleep |
| and other activities, we tend to sacrifice the sleeping | | | | deprivation are depression, heart problems, high blood |
| time. Here are some of the causes of sleep | | | | pressure etc. |
| deprivation: | | | | How to Ensure Proper Sleep: To get proper sleep, |
| - Sleeping disorders | | | | about 7 to 8 hours a day, you should take some steps: |
| - Working during the night and traveling | | | | - Have a regular sleeping pattern i.e. sleep and wake |
| - Medical illnesses | | | | up at the same time every day |
| - Disturbance from noise, light etc. | | | | - Make sure your bedroom is conducive for sleep by |
| - Depression, excessive worry | | | | cutting off noise, light while sleeping |
| Sleeping Disorders which Cause Sleeplessness : | | | | - Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks, soft drinks or eating |
| Here are the common disorders which cause | | | | food just before bedtime |
| sleeplessness: | | | | - Keep the temperature of your bedroom conducive |
| - Obstructive Sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea is | | | | for sleeping, not too warm or cool |
| caused when a person is unable to breathe properly | | | | - Have a warm bath, listen to music which can help |
| due to obstruction of the nose or throat. This can be | | | | you sleep |
| caused due to enlarged tonsils, deviated septum etc. | | | | If you are sleepy during the day, try taking short naps, |
| - Narcolepsy: A chronic sleeping disorder which is | | | | but do not make this a habit as napping during the day |
| characterized by excessive day time sleepiness | | | | can make sleeping difficult at night. If you are unable to |
| Nocturnal mycoclonus: Nocturnal mycoclonus causes | | | | sleep, consult your doctor as you could be suffering |
| jerking of legs while sleeping. This causes brief | | | | from a sleeping disorder. |
| awakening during the night resulting in daytime | | | | |