Side effects of sleep deprivation...

*Sleep Deprivation is a condition of not having a proper amount of sleep. This condition can be classified as being chronic or acute.

If you think that lethargy, fatigue and purple colored bags under the eyes are the only side effect that develop with the lack of sleep, you have never been so wrong. The fact is along with these few physical symptoms comes physiological symptoms as well and after a while more severe physical symptoms. Let's look more into the physical side effects that come with a person's inability to get the required amount of shut eye:

• Lethargy
• Fatigue
• Dark circles and puffiness under the eyes
  Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Memory loss
• Hallucinations
• Irritability

These above symptoms are worrisome for sure but even more scary is along with these side effects and a continued routine of improper sleep can come:

• High risk for developing diabetes 2
• Others signs and symptoms that are said to closely resemble ADHD
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Muscle aches and pains
• High risk for developing fibromyalgia

Sadly all of the above side effects and symptoms that are brought about with a persons lack of sleep are visible to others. But did you realize that with the lack of sleep, along with the visible symptoms caused by a person's inability to get a well deserved night of rest can come:

• A suppression of growth hormones
• Decrease in the effectiveness of a persons immune system
• Increase or decrease of a persons sex drive
• Clumsiness and an impairment in judgement
• Depression
• Increased blood pressure

While it is highly unlikely sleep deprivation in some cases has proved to be fatal. Doctors and researchers do suggest that it is impossible in most cases for a person to not ever sleep except in the case were a person has been diagnosed with a condition known as (FFI). Fatal Familial Insomnia is a rare autosomal dominant inherited prion disease of the brain and in all cases it has lead to death. But that is not to say that the side effects caused from the inability to sleep can not be dangerous or deadly.

Like I said sleep deprivation in itself will not suddenly cause a person to drop dead but it has been known to kill in other forms. Here are some statistics involving sleep deprivation and death:

• About 100,000 car crashes resulting in a death occur each year due to a person falling asleep behind the wheel.
• An estimated 18% of all work place accidents are caused due to a persons lack of sleep
• In 1999 fatigue and judgement impairment due to the lack of sleep was to blame for the American Airline crash in Little Rock, Arkansas.
• In October 2003 sleep deprivation was to blame for the Staten Island Ferry that crashed into a dock at full speed.
• Studies have shown that nearly 75%of the nursing staff has declared tiredness due to over work loads and stress.

And we see the effects of sleep deprivation in the news all the time including just recently on October 23, 2009 when the Northwest Airlines pilots were out of contact with traffic control for about an hour and over shot their landing destination.

The effects of workplace accidents are not only visible in the number of accidents, injuries and deaths but also in the economy. The damage can be seen in the $80 billion dollars that the avoidable condition is costing the United States Industry a year.

These are some scary statistics that we all should be aware of and fearful of.

Many people have misconceptions pertaining to sleep, the required amount of sleep and the side effects associated with the sleep cycle. Some misconceptions that are commonly believed are as follows.

My body will adjust to a new or different sleep cycle.

This is not true. A persons biological clock that keeps track of a persons wake/sleep cycle will continue to try and function according to a normal day/night schedule even when a person attempts to change or vary from it.

The older I get the less sleep I need.

This is not true but it does occur. The older a person gets the less sleep this is true but that does not mean that it is healthy. And the truth is an older person most likely has an underlying medical condition that is causing their inability to sleep.

I can function with just one less hour of sleep.

It is suggested that even receiving a small amount of less sleep can ultimately effect a persons physical condition. Even with just one hour less sleep at night can effect a persons ability to function at their peak potential. This little deprivation of sleep may not be severe but it is noticable.

Ways to improve sleep habits

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time, setting an alarm each an every morning is reasonable in training your body to sleep properly
• Use the bedroom only for sleep and sex, avoid watching television or using your laptop in the bedroom these activities can confuse your body making it believe you are not yet sleepy, light reading is OK but it is best to keep the material your reading boring, sex before bedtime is another great way to induce sleepiness
• Good daily exercise routine which should be down prior to three hours before bedtime
• Sunlight, sunlight helps a persons circadian clock regulate and it can make a person feel more sleepy at night.
• Avoid caffeine products after noon
• Keep your bedroom dark when it is time to go to bed, remember to shut down your computer and any other form of light, again any form of light can be confusing to your mind telling itself maybe its not time to sleep
• Eat properly, avoid foods that sit heavy on the stomach and spicy foods, never eat after 9 o'clock, consider eating dinner at 6 o'clock and avoiding a bedtime snack. If a bedtime snack is desired eat it before 9:00 and make sure the snack is sleep friendly

Maintaining a good sleep schedule is vital to the health and well being of all people no matter the age. If your sleep schedule is thrown off due to any reason the above sleep habits should be implemented and followed as a way to retrain your bodies sleep schedule.