You would think sleeping is the easiest thing that a human can do (besides breathing, that is). But getting an adequate amount of sleep is becoming more and more difficult for countless Americans. It is estimated that up to 40 million people in the U.S. do not get adequate sleep, and the reasons for this vary.
People are working longer hours, dealing with more stress, and eating more junk food than ever before, and their sleep is suffering as a result. This trend is not to be taken lightly, and many studies have indicated that not getting enough sleep can have some severe health consequences. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to a variety of medical problems including weakened immune systems, slow metabolism, obesity, learning and developmental disabilities in children, memory impairments and workplace injuries. What proves most disturbing is the growing number of car accidents that are now being attributed to drivers falling asleep at the wheel.
Clearly, frequent sleep deprivation and sleep disorders is a serious health matter and should not be taken lightly. Fortunately, there are many solutions and options available to people who are suffering from sleep disorders.
There are two main types of sleep disorders; chronic and acute. Acute sleep disorders do not usually last longer than three weeks and can usually be treated effectively by simply developing healthier sleep hygiene practices. Most sleep problems are caused practicing poor sleep hygiene. While the term itself may sound overly clinical, sleep hygiene just means adopting simple common-sense lifestyle changes to promote better sleeping habits.
Examples of poor sleep hygiene include excessive use of caffeine, eating in your bedroom, and not having a consistent sleep schedule. Adjustments as simple as eliminating stimulants like caffeine and nicotine from your diet, getting adequate exercise, and going to sleep and getting up at the same time every single day (even on weekends) will usually improve sleep quality. If after making all of these changes, you still do not notice any improvement, you may be dealing with a more chronic sleep deprivation problem and should seek medical attention.
Chronic sleep disorders are more difficult to treat than acute disorders and last for more than three weeks, sometimes lasting for months, even years. If you are suffering from a chronic sleep disorder, you will need to see a doctor who specializes in treating sleep disorders before you start to see some relief. Your physician will perform a routine examination, create a sleep regimen for you that you will need to strictly adhere to, and may prescribe a sleep aid if needed.
If you have become so sleep deprived that it is becoming difficult to perform simple day-to-day tasks (you find yourself constantly dozing off at work, during class, or behind the wheel) or it is adversely affecting your mood or behavior (you have become increasingly more moody and/or irritable), it is important that you see a doctor immediately. If you are a shift worker or do a lot of work-related travel, you will need to pay careful attention to the amount of sleep you are getting as well.
People who work long hours and at night, i.e. truck drivers and ER physicians or constantly fly across time zones are at very high risk for developing sleep disorders and are especially vulnerable to having mental and physical health problems related to sleep deprivation.
If you have experienced waking up gasping for breath during the night or have been told that you are an extremely loud snorer, you may have a potentially deadly condition known as sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea stop breathing several times while they are asleep. People who are overweight or obese and people who suffer from respiratory problems are considered high risk for developing sleep apnea. In severe cases or sleep apnea, you may need special breathing devices or even undergo an operation in order to treat the condition. If you suspect that you or someone you know has sleep apnea, it is very important that medical attention is sought before it is too late.
Regardless of the cause, sleep disorders can result some severe complications if left untreated. Sleep is not a luxury; it is a necessity just like food or water. If you are not getting enough rest, try to adopt some of the sleep hygiene methods mentioned above of consult a specialist for help.
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