Effects of Sleep Deprivation

At least 40 million Americans don't get enough sleep. For some of us, it's more than simply not sleeping well at night; it's that we can scarcely stay awake during the daylight hours. Yet in spite of this, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) estimates that more than 60 percent of adults have never been questioned by their physicians about their quality of sleep, and only 20 percent of patients ever initiate such a discussion.

Why? Because we are accustomed to feeling tired. For many, it's the norm; feeling rested is the exception rather than the rule. Night upon night of counting sheep never seems to get us to the destination of rest. This isn't good, for when we don't get enough "good" sleep, bad things can happen.

Sleep Deprivation Equals A Recipe for Collapse

Sleep is like food; without enough, there's a breakdown of the body and a laundry list of trouble. Effects of sleep deprivation include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Impaired memory and physical performance
• Slowed responses
• Difficulty controlling emotions
• More susceptible to illness than those who get a good night's rest
• Less accomplishment of daily tasks
• Reduced enjoyment of daily activities
• Accelerated aging and encouraged growth of fat rather than muscle
• May contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke

Although a large proportion of sleep deprivation is due to stress, things we eat or drink, the environment, health problems, medications, menopause and other reasons, for many, undiagnosed sleep disorders play a major role.