The Effects of Sleep
Deprivation
Copyright (c) 2006 Liz Beresford
Sleep Sound Insomnia
http://www.sleep-sound.com/
Do you think that sleep is a waste of your time? Are you quietly
proud of your ability to survive on just a few hours sleep a
night? Maybe you even see sleep as a weakness to be overcome? If
you are a "sleep less" person I have news for you. Sleep isn't
optional.
Research sows that there are many problems associated with
chronic sleep deprivation. That's sleep deprivation that has
built up over several weeks or months. Here are some of them:
* Lack of sleep can shorten your life. Death from all causes is
lowest among adults who get seven to eight hours of sleep
nightly, and significantly higher among those who sleep less than
seven.
* The immune system is impaired. Sleep researcher Eve van Cauter
at the University of Chicago gave flu vaccine to subjects who had
slept only four hours per night for the previous six nights.
Their immune systems produced only half the normal number of
antibodies in response. The same study also showed:
a) Heart rates and blood pressure were raised.
b) Insulin resistance, a pre-diabetic condition that affects
glucose tolerance and produces weight gain, developed.
c) Leptin, a hormone that inhibits appetite, was reduced. That is
why sleep deprivation can result in weight gain. Other studies
have shown similar results.
* Intellectual performance is reduced. Critical thinking
plummets, so don't stay up all night cramming for an exam.
* Reaction time is slowed which could be fatal in some
situations especially if you are a doctor, airline pilot or even
just drive a car.
Sleep deprivation has been the cause of numerous accidents and
combined with alcohol it can be lethal. When we are overtired we
take mini sleeps without even realizing it. Imagine taking a mini
sleep when driving or operating dangerous equipment. If you have
a large sleep debt you are a danger to yourself and others.
Notice how often driver fatigue is mentioned in reports on
various accidents. The one we probably remember best is the Exon
Valdize, but airplane and road traffic accidents are frequently
put down to driver fatigue. While most would not drive when drunk
the idea of driving when tired does not set off the same alarm
bells, but it should. The mixture of tiredness plus alcohol adds
to the risk.
So the bottom line is that no matter how hard it is to follow a
sensible sleep routine you must do it. Going to bed late on a
regular basis can be lethal for you or for someone you else. If
you aren't getting to sleep because you have insomnia please
take action to cure your sleeping problem. Insomnia must be taken
seriously and a cure pursued.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Liz Beresford:
Discover how to cure insomnia and get a good night’s
sleep with the Sleep Sound Insomnia program, an audio
incorporating brain wave entrainment and relaxation,
to listen to when you are ready to go sleep:
http://www.sleep-sound.com/
Get More information and Tips For
Health and Wellness:
|