Warning Signs Of Sleep Deprivation

Current guidelines suggest healthy adults should aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night. According to healthcare experts, sleep deprivation is defined as a failure to obtain sufficient total sleep. Sleep deprivation has a cumulative effect, and individuals vary in how little sleep it takes to feel sleep-deprived. For example, one person may feel sleep-deprived after six hours of sleep, and another might only feel sleep-deprived after two or three hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation is associated with increased risks for obesity, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Insufficient sleep weakens the immune system, and sleep-deprived patients do not respond as well to vaccines as individuals who have had sufficient sleep. Sleep deprivation is also associated with kidney disease, stroke, and increased signs of skin aging. Patients struggling with sleep issues may want to see a sleep specialist for advice. The specialist will ask about the patient's sleep routines and sleeping environment, and the patient might be asked to participate in a sleep study to check for underlying medical conditions that could be affecting sleep quality and duration.