10 adverse affects of sleep loss

Many people do not realize the affect that sleep loss can have on the body. Here is a list of ten things that sleep loss can have:

1. Sleep loss causes accidents
 Sleep loss is a huge safety hazard, especially while driving. Fatigue causes about 100,000 car crashes a year. These accidents occur in the greatest amount in individuals 25 or younger.

2. Sleep loss affects critical thinking
Lack of sleep causes problems with cognitive processes. Sleep loss causes problems with attention, alertness, concentration, reasoning, and problem solving. These issues make it more difficult to learn. Sleep loss affects memory. If you don't get adequate sleep, you aren't able to remember what you learned and experienced during the day.

3. Sleep loss can lead to serious health problems.
Sleep loss can cause:
Heart attack
Heart disease
Heart failure
Irregular heartbeat
High blood pressure
Stroke
Diabetes

4. Sleep Deprivation affects sex drive
Sleep loss causes lower libido and less interest in sex

5. Excessive sleepiness can cause depression
Sleep deprivation can cause symptoms of depression. Insomnia is directly related to depression. Did you know that insomnia is a sign of depression?

6. Sleep loss ages skin
Chronic sleep loss can cause fine lines, dark circles, and lack luster skin.

7. Sleep loss makes you forgetful

8. Lack of sleep makes you gain weight
Lack of sleep causes increases in hunger and appetite. People who sleep less than six hours a day are 30% more likely to be overweight.

9. Lack of sleep causes increased risk of death
People who get seven or less hours of sleep double their risk of death

10. Sleep loss impairs judgement

Hopefully these problems let you know how important sleep is to your overall health. You NEED sleep in order to function normally and decrease your risk of death.

References

 Feature, C. P. (n.d.). 10 Surprising Effects of Lack of Sleep. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/10-results-sleep-loss 

Insomnia

Do you think you suffer from insomnia? Many people experience symptoms of insomnia without even knowing they have it. So what exactly is insomnia you may ask?  Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which individuals suffering from the disease have difficulty falling or staying asleep. Insomnia can be primary, meaning it is not directly associated with any other diseases, or it can be secondary meaning that the disease itself is caused by other health problems.

Insomnia can be acute, lasting for short periods of time, or chronic; lasting for long periods of time. Acute insomnia is caused by:
Significant life stress
illness
emotional or physical discomfort
environmental factors
medications that interfere with sleep
interference in normal sleep

Chronic insomnia is caused by:
depression and/or anxiety
chronic stress
pain or discomfort at night

Symptoms of insomnia can include the following:
sleepiness during the day
general tiredness
irritability
problems with concentration or memory
difficulty falling asleep at night or waking up often during the night
difficulty going back to sleep
waking up to early in the morning
feeling tired after waking up

If you feel you may be experiencing symptoms of insomnia you should contact your healthcare provider in order to get evaluated. There are also tips you may want to use in order to combat the problem. Here is a list of some of the tips to use in order to fight off your insomnia symptoms:

try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time everyday
avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol late in the day
exercise regularly
Dont eat a heavy meal late in the day
make you bedroom or sleeping space comfortable. (make sure its dark, comfortable temperature, no noises or distractions)
avoid using bed for anything other than sleep
if you can't sleep, get up and do something else until you feel drowsy
follow a routine before sleep. This could be reading a book, listening to music or taking a bath

College may be stressful, but you don't have to suffer with poor sleep. Make sure to take note of any sleeping issues you may have and if the symptoms become hard to deal with, get to your healthcare provider.


Reference

 Insomnia (Chronic and Acute Insomnia) Causes and Symptoms. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/insomnia-symptoms-and-causes