Sleep Deprivation Effects

How Sleep Disorders And Lack Of Sleep Can Affect Daily Life

Throughout the world, millions of people suffer from sleep deprivation effects in one way or another, led by insomnia or any of the many other sleep disorders. Although sleep deprivation can be caused by many things, there is but one true cure- to sleep better. This is easier said than done!

At first, it may not seem very important, but sleep deprivation effects can cause accidents, end careers and ruin personal relationships. What was at one time considered to be a minor issue, sleep disorders have now grown into a major health problem, demanding a great deal of attention and treatment.

Ever since the industrial revolution and technological advances, lack of sleep has grown as a problem. Various studies and reports have shown that sleep deprivation effects have played a part in serious car accidents as well as major world incidents and disasters.

Of course, sleep deprivation can affect personal lives in many ways. For instance:

-reduced alertness and reduced cognitive ability

-mood changes, including increased depression and aggression

-lowered brain activity

-impaired glucose intolerance, increased risk of diabetes

-hypertension and heart palpitations

-memory loss

-irritability and impaired judgement

-psychosis

Example Sleep Disorders

Statistically, up to 40% of the adult population will experience some form of sleep disorder or sleep disturbance at some point in their lifetime. A few of the more common sleep disorders that will result in sleep deprivation are:

-Insomnia. Defined as the inability to sleep, insomnia may affect as many as one third of the adult population, particularly women, the elderly, and those who are thin, depressed or suffering stress.

-Sleep apnea. A sleep disorder in which the individual repeatedly stops breathing throughout the night, resulting in frequently waking up.

-Restless Leg Syndrome. This is a disorder characterized by the uncontrollable urge to move limbs, usually the legs. Whilst not strictly a sleep disorder, it frequently results in loss of sleep for the affected individual.

How Can You Sleep Better?

The first step to sleeping better is to determine just what is causing sleep disturbance. For new parents or night shift workers, the cause may be obvious, For others, however, it may not be so evident. Spending time in a sleep clinic may be the answer for some. Depending on the results obtained, medication,behavioural therapy or lifestyle changes may be the way forward. In the case of sleep apnea, medication will often be prescribed, as well as a specialized breathing apparatus to stop disrupted breathing at night.

It is vital to pay attention to any significant changes to normal sleep patterns. Although many like to believe otherwise, sleep is a basic, fundamental need, just as important as food and water, and an absolute requirement for good health

Monday, 14 March 2011

What Is Sleep Apnea?

One of the many sleeping disorders commonly diagnosed in people is known as sleep apnea. This disorder happens when during sleep, a person experiences several pauses in breathing or shallow intakes of breath.
The breathing pauses involved vary in duration from a few seconds to several minutes, and in most cases occur about 10 to 30 times in an hour. An obvious reason why the problem is so alarming to those that suffer this sleep disorder.

It is a condition that can occur 3 to 4 nights a week, with the affected person moving from deep sleep to a very light sleep as breathing pauses or becomes very shallow.Noticeable on resumption of normal breathing following a sleep apnea attack is a loud snort or choking sound. The obvious result of these attacks is poor quality sleep, making the sufferer tired, irritable and restless during waking hours.

Sleep apnea is not normal, and can be very risky, with the condition often being undiagnosed. Most people who are affected, are not aware of the fact. It is usually a bed partner or close family member that first notices the manifestations and symptoms of sleep apnea. This is the reason why the condition is so dangerous, especially if sleeping alone.

There are several types of sleep apnea, the most common of which is obstructive sleep apnea. This is characterized by the collapsing of the airways or blockages during sleep. These blockages may lead to breathing pauses or shallow breathing, with loud snoring produced as air squeezes past the obstruction. Obstructive sleep apnea usually occurs in overweight people but not exclusively. A less common type of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea. This happens when the specific area of the brain that controls breathing fails to send the right signals to the breathing muscles during sleep. This results in the person making no effort to breathe for a few seconds. In this type, snoring is not experienced, unlike obstructive sleep apnea.

Other factors to note are increased risks for heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. With irregular heartbeats come the possibility of heart failure, and also a major concern is increased risks of accidents due to tiredness.

The fact is that sleep apnea can kill eventually!

But there is a solution to be found in alternative sleep apnea treatments. Click below to find out more.

Discover The Secrets Of 9 Survivors Who Cured Sleep Apnea


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