Health Risks Of Sleep Deprivation

It’s common knowledge that the recommended amount of sleep adults need is seven to nine hours a night. However, more than a third of Americans fail to meet this recommendation. Sleep deprivation happens when individuals don't regularly meet the amount of sleep they need. Many factors can contribute to sleep deprivation, like insomnia, long work hours, school, and taking care of young children. Usually, sleep deprivation is related to a lack of good sleep habits, especially with the many responsibilities that compel individuals to stay awake. Most know the symptoms of sleep deprivation, like feeling tired, forgetfulness, lack of concentration, and lack of coordination. It’s so widespread in our fast-paced society that we forget to consider the potential long-term health risks of sleep deprivation.

Increased Risk of Injury and Accidents

Around 100,000 deaths occur annually in the United States due to human error resulting from sleep-deprivation. Driving on little sleep has been compared to driving drunk. In fact, driving after not sleeping for eighteen hours straight is equal to driving with a blood-alcohol level of .05, compared to the .08 that signals someone is drunk. The increased risk of injury and accidents also results from low reaction time caused by sleep deprivation. Making quick choices becomes more difficult, and performance is greatly stunted. These are important factors when driving, operating machinery, or even performing physical activity. Without a full night's rest, an individual's potential in performing activities is reduced, and possible injuries become more likely to occur.

Can Result In Serious Health Issues

Sleeping regularly is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, preventing most major illnesses. Chronic sleep deprivation, however, can result in serious health issues over time. Without the nightly repair sleep gives the body, it's more likely for individuals to develop high blood pressure, stroke, and other heart diseases. Since sleep is an important part of regulating metabolism and eating habits, obesity is also a risk. The hormonal imbalance caused by sleep, especially in regards to insulin, which regulates blood sugar, results in an increased possibility of diabetes. Even in the short-term, losing a few hours of sleep can greatly depress the immune system, making the body vulnerable to illnesses.