

Long-term total sleep deprivation has caused death in lab animals. A complete absence of sleep over a long period is not frequent in humans (unless they have fatal insomnia or specific issues caused by surgery) it appears that brief microsleeps cannot be avoided. įew studies have compared the effects of acute total sleep deprivation and chronic partial sleep restriction. However, in a subset of cases, sleep deprivation can paradoxically lead to increased energy and alertness although its long-term consequences have never been evaluated, sleep deprivation has even been used as a treatment for depression. Ī chronic sleep-restricted state adversely affects the brain and cognitive function. Sleep deprivation can also lead to high anxiety, irritability, erratic behavior, poor cognitive functioning and performance, and psychotic episodes. Insufficient sleep has been linked to weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, heart disease, and strokes. The amount of sleep needed can depend on sleep quality, age, pregnancy, and level of sleep deprivation. The average adult needs seven or more hours of sleep per night to maintain health. Sleep deprived individuals are able to fall asleep rapidly when allowed but those with insomnia have difficulty falling asleep. Although both chronic sleep deficiency and insomnia share decreased quantity and/or quality of sleep as well as impaired function, their difference lies in the ability to fall asleep. Chronic sleep deficiency is often confused with the term insomnia.
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Chronic sleep deprivation means when an individual routinely sleeps less than an optimal amount for ideal functioning. It can be either chronic or acute and may vary widely in severity.Īcute sleep deprivation is when an individual sleeps less than usual or does not sleep at all for a short period of time – normally lasting one to two days but tends to follow the sleepless pattern for longer with no outside factors in play. Sleep deprivation, also known as sleep insufficiency or sleeplessness, is the condition of not having adequate duration and/or quality of sleep to support decent alertness, performance, and health. Sleep hygiene, talk therapy, caffeine (to induce alertness), sleeping pills Insomnia, sleep apnea, stimulants (caffeine, amphetamine), voluntary imposition (school, work), mood disorders Fatigue, eye bags, poor memory, irritable mood, weight gainĬar and work accidents, weight gain, cardiovascular disease
