Sleep Deprivation Effects

Sleep Deprivation effects and treatment                                                                          

As its name suggests, sleep deprivation refers to a condition where the affected person suffers from a lack of the minimum amount of sleep required by the human body. Sleep deprivation can be caused by a host of factors and if not treated, can lead on to disastrous consequences. It impacts both young and old.

Causes of sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation can be cause by one or a combination of the following factors – lifestyle, medical conditions, and side-effects of medicine.

1. Lifestyle factors that cause sleeplessness are: (i) Excess intake of caffeine (tea/coffee/colas) and alcohol consumption before bedtime (ii) Skewed working hours that go on till late in the night (iii) Some studies suggest that smoking is also connected to sleeplessness (iv) Watching movies/playing games/hanging out till the wee hours of the morning can also impair sleep patterns (v) stress and hyper-anxiety are other lifestyle factors.

2. Certain medicines can cause sleeplessness. It is best to consult your doctor about your medicine’s side-effects.

3. Medical conditions such as asthma, chronic depression, mental ill-health, sleep apnea, and a few other medical conditions can cause sleeplessness.

Symptoms of sleep deprivation

It’s time to see a doctor when any of the following symptoms are experienced:

1. Constant irritability; always being on the edge; blowing a fuse at the smallest of occurrences.
2. Lack of concentration.
3. Not feeling sleepy at bedtime night after night (say for 7-10 days at a stretch).
4. Shortness of breath.
5. Feeling regularly tired at work.
6. Getting infections frequently.
7. Feeling a strange, vague type of discomfort.
8. Appetite changes – for the worse.

These may or may not be due to sleep deprivation – they may be caused by medical conditions, but it’s best to let your healthcare professional be the judge of that.

Sleep Deprivation Effects

Sleep deprivation can play havoc with the body and here is what it is capable of:

1. Conditions such as depression, a tired and aching body, color blindness, sleepiness in the daytime, loss of mental agility, a weakened immune system, dark circles beneath the eyes, confusion, hallucinations, tremors in the body, nausea, irritability, headaches, incoherent speech, changes in body weight and even delirium are some physiological disorders directly associated with sleep deprivation.

2. When people are deprived of sleep, their body’s ability to burn sugars (glucose) is reduced and this can lead to diabetes.

3. In 2000, a medical study on sleep-deprived people conclusively proved that lack of sleep can severely impair brain function to such an extent that sleep-deprived people couldn’t give simple verbal commands effectively. In 2003, another study conclusively proved that sleep-deprivation directly contributes to the damage of brain cells.

4. Another medical study in 2001 concluded that sleep deprivation was connected to dangerous conditions such as heart disease and mental illness (psychosis and bipolar disorder).

5. It has been observed that sleep deprivation leads to an increase in stress hormone production.

6. Another medical study has established sleep-deprived people produce fewer growth hormones than people who sleep adequately.

7. In some extreme cases, sleep deprivation has caused hernias, muscle tears and other conditions related to over activity and exertion.

8. People who don’t sleep well tend to overeat because lack of sleep messes around with glucose metabolism and appetite, and hence this condition is even linked to obesity.

Sleep deprivation and students

A dangerous trend is emerging in America – more and more school and college students are experiencing sleep deprivation. According to medics, a school-going child must get between 8.5 and 9 hours of sleep daily – the actual figure stands at 6.8 hours. Another study has revealed college freshmen get the shortest amount of sleep and 1 in 4 of them fall asleep during class hours.

In 1997, a research conducted by the University of Minnesota revealed that students whose school began early (7.15 A.M.) got inadequate sleep and lower grades than students whose schools opened later (8.30 A.M.).

Sleep deprivation and depression

There is an immediate connection between sleep deprivation and depression. Lack of adequate sleep drains energy, increases irritability and tiredness. Result: the affected person’s productivity is decreased, his temper flares up too often, and that kind of alienates his friends and colleagues and he also feels drowsy at work or while driving, which increases the chance of him getting involved in an accident.

If sleep deprivation isn’t treated in time, it gets chronic and then there’s hell to pay as all the consequences combine together to make the person a horribly depressed man – which if left untreated can cause more grievous mental illnesses.

Sleep Deprivation in Children

In a recent study, it was discovered that about 40% of elementary-aged children suffered from sleep disorders, of these 15% were reluctant to sleep at bedtime and 10% felt sleepy during the day. The same study discovered that 50% of American teenagers had regularly experienced difficulties in falling asleep at bedtime, and 13% of these teens suffered from acute insomnia.

Such children get low grades, are depressed most of the time, suffer from complexes, face learning difficulties and above all, cannot cope with their problems. Children don’t complain of sleeplessness and therefore it is important for their parents to map their behavior and communicate about any symptoms with them.

Sleep & Aging

As our age advances, our sleep patterns get altered. Many elder people sleep light or their sleep is disturbed almost on a daily basis or their day naps interfere with their regular sleep or their health condition disturbs their sleep. Sometimes, the death of a loved one or a friend causes them sleeplessness.

Specific sleep disorders such as Sleep Apnea, Restless Leg Syndrome and REM behavior disorder are associated with age.

All elderly folks need to consult their doctor if they observe any symptoms of sleeplessness.

Sleep and Exercise

Exercise can help a person get a good night’s sleep, so long you don’t exercise within 2-3 hours of bedtime. People who exercise for 30-40 minutes daily can easily get sound sleep.

You may perform strenuous exercises in the daytime, but if you exercise in the evenings, then indulge in light aerobics exercises such as a slow jog or a stroll.

Sleep disorders and weight changes

Sleep deprivation irritates and hyper-activates a part of the brain (hypothalamus) that is involved with hormones that control appetite regulation. These hormones are leptin and ghrelin. When both these hormones are balanced, we get the feeling our stomachs are full (after a meal).

People who are sleep-deprived have lower amounts of leptin mainly because they are awake for a longer period of time and therefore have more time to eat. This makes them gorge on food, an activity that can lead to obesity, or an overweight condition, followed by problems that are associated with them.

Treatment

The treatment of sleep deprivation depends on its cause. It is best to first analyze the cause by getting sleep diagnosed at a sleep clinic. You may have to spend a couple of nights at these clinics, but it’s well worth the effort.

1. Bright-light treatment is used on those who fall asleep slowly in the night and wake up late in the morning; and also for those who fall asleep on time but wake up very early. Melatonin is also used to treat such patients.

2. Many doctors first educate their patients on sleep etiquette. Patients are advised to try to self-cure their sleep-deprivation and the doctor steps in when they cannot. Sleep etiquette involves following a proper sleep-awake schedule, not dozing off during the day and staying off vigorous exercise late in the evening. It also includes learning light meditation techniques, doing things that relax the body, avoiding alcohol and caffeine products and following a healthy diet.

3. Sleep deprivation because of Sleep Apnea can be part-treated by putting the patient on a weight-loss program. Such patients are also encouraged to use a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device that enables them experience uninterrupted sleep.

4. Sleep deprivation due to pregnancy is treated by encouraging patients to take afternoon naps, consuming warm milk, taking a hot bath before sleep and exercising during the day.

5. Children who are deprived of sleep are first comforted, and if psychological methods don’t work, then medications step in.

6. Sleeplessness due to lifestyle habits is treated by asking the patient to cut down on caffeine-products, colas, alcohol, smoking, and stress-causing situations.

7. People who exercise get better sleep than people who lead a lethargic lifestyle. Hence, patients are encouraged to take up a regular exercise regimen.
8. If self-care fails, there are medications to fall back upon. Patients whose sleep is affected by depression, mental illness and physiological problems need to take medications.

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