According to recent studies, an estimated 25% of residents of the United Kingdom suffer from the effects of sleep deprivation, whether due to overwork, too much stress, medical problems or lifestyle issues. Whatever the cause, sleep deprivation and other sleep disorders are responsible for both major and minor physical and psychological problems. It can even be deadly to get insufficient sleep.

Why Sleep is Important

Statistically, we spend about a third of our entire lives asleep. The human body requires sleep to replenish its energy reserves, recover from illness or physical exercise, and regulate its metabolism. The brain's sleep needs are more mysterious. Scientists say that although our brains only comprise 2% of our body mass they consume 20% or more of our body's energy. It is presumed that these energy needs are recharged during sleep, as well as giving the brain the opportunity to perform "maintenance" in the form of dreaming. Sleep deprivation interrupts these vital processes.

Common Causes of Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation can be caused by temporary conditions like cramming for an exam or adjusting to a new baby, but long-term sleep deprivation is due to some form of sleep disorder. The basic causes of sleep disorders are medication side effects, biological factors, medical conditions, and lifestyle. Many drugs can interrupt sleep patterns. Biological factors that can affect sleep include age and gender, and underlying medical conditions such as asthma and sleep apnoea can as well.  Lifestyle choices, such as drinking caffeine and alcohol late at night, also impacts sleep habits.

Physiological Effects

The effects of lack of sleep on the human body are varied, and severity of symptoms is usually proportionate to the severity and duration of the sleep disorder.  In mild cases of sleep deprivation, symptoms may be as simple as frequent yawning, bloodshot eyes, headaches, and aching muscles.  More severe cases of sleep deprivation have more obvious physical symptom manifestations. These include peri-orbital puffiness, decreased reaction times, trembling hands, episodes of irritability, outbursts of temper or even short blackouts called micro-sleeps.

Mental Health and Social Side Effects

Sleep deprivation can have mental and social side effects that range from minor to life threatening.  Common mental health effects are confusion, loss or lapse of memory, hallucinations, dizziness, disorientation, and depression. Severe cases of sleep deprivation sometimes have coinciding suicidal thoughts. Lack of sleep is attributed to countless life-quality issues, from disturbing their partners' sleep patterns to inability to work. Teenagers and young adults are especially susceptible to sleep deprivation impacting their long-term mental health and work or school performance.

Long Term Health Risks

Sufferers of severe or chronic sleep deprivation will often develop significant long-term health risks.  Some of the risks that have been recognized by experts include obesity, high blood pressure, higher incidence of Type 2 diabetes, fibromyalgia, increased levels of stress hormones, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and even, in severe cases, psychosis. Many people afflicted with sleep disorders may not even realize that the conditions stem from a habitual lack of enough or sufficient quality sleep.

A Public Health Threat

A recent Sleep Alliance study declared that 20% of road accidents are due to sleep-deprived drivers. A sleepy person behind the wheel of the car performs very similarly to someone who is legally intoxicated in reaction times and decision-making skills. Another study showed that 43% of Britons feel their sleep-deprived state negatively impacts their work, especially in the area of advancement, since they feel to sleepy to pursue a promotion or business opportunities. The NHS is being urged to fund more sleep studies and to deal more directly with this chronic and dangerous problem.

The human body and mind need sleep in sufficient duration and quality. If someone feels they are not sleeping enough and notice any of the symptoms of sleep deprivation they should examine their lifestyles. Losing weight, decreasing caffeine and nicotine intake, getting moderate physical exercise and adjusting medications can alleviate many obstacles to a good night's sleep. If the problems persist, those affected should consult with their family physician to assess their health.

 

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