The dream is probably best described as the loss of awareness of what is going on around us. The brain itself never sleeps and continues to function, although the rhythms of the brain waves gradually alter and decrease as we approach the deeper stages of sleep. Sleep deprivation exists when we are not getting what we need. This varies from person to person, the average adult requires six to nine hours a night, but some do well with much less. Children and adolescents need more sleep than adults. If we feel energized during the day and do not experience drowsiness during the day, we are probably getting enough sleep.
Public awareness of fitness and nutrition has increased in recent years, but sadly little is known about the important topic of sleep disorders. They are not included in general medical training, so ignorance is perpetuated. If sleepiness were the only downside to lack of sleep, it wouldn’t be such a serious condition. Unfortunately, the consequences are many and some of them quite worrying. There are physical and behavioral symptoms.
Why do we suffer from lack of sleep? Sometimes it’s because we are so busy that we just don’t have enough time to get the rest we need. Or maybe it’s because we have insomnia or one of the other sleep disorders, like sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. Or we can be a shift worker who is forced to sleep during the day and our sleep is not restful. Whatever the reason, if we don’t get enough sleep, we create a “sleep debt” that leads to some or all of the symptoms shown below. These range from inconvenient to downright dangerous, so if you can see yourself in the symptoms below, it’s worth trying to establish what’s causing your lack of sleep, then we can figure it out and how to address it.
Stress and anxiety
This can be a vicious cycle, as while stress can actually cause our lack of sleep, it is also the result of it. Fortunately, it can be treated with the proper procedures. We will analyze the possibilities and find out what is causing it and the correct solution for you.
Anger, irritability, and depression.
All of these are related to stress and can cause social and relationship problems. The National Sleep Foundation has said that anger due to lack of sleep can be one of the contributing factors to road rage. Depression, while still a complex condition, can be described as inward directed anger. One answer to these problems may simply be to sleep more or better.
Lack of concentration and difficulty concentrating.
The brain loses its function as a result of lack of sleep. Students in particular fit into this category, as learning requires intense concentration. A study has found that from puberty, the need for sleep increases into adulthood.
Short-term memory loss
Memory is affected by lack of sleep, this is also a problem for those trying to study and for those who are learning new job skills.
Decreased ability to drive a motor vehicle
Two reasons for this: one is because concentration is affected, the second because the danger of falling asleep at the wheel is high. The same goes for anyone who is in charge of machinery in the workplace. Lack of sleep can also cause blurred vision. Altogether a pretty deadly cocktail. The danger has been assessed as close to that of someone who is affected by alcohol!
Suppression of the immune system
This is a concern, as it leaves us vulnerable to all the infections that exist at that time. People deprived of sleep get more colds and flu than those who are not. Lack of sleep can make you sick!
There are probably enough reasons to convince us to take action to change our sleeping habits! If lack of time keeps us up late, we may have to sacrifice something else to make sure we get the rest we need. If a sleep disorder is making your life a pittance, don’t despair! There is always something we can do and the knowledge on the subject is improving all the time.
