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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