 |
 |
 |
|
When a lack of sleep is suspected, it may require a determined effort to get more. The effort, however, is worth it since life is more enjoyable when you feel refreshed. If a sleep deficit is chronic, it may take many weeks of adequate sleep to fully recover.
Causes & Development
Lack of sleep can occur a number of ways. Total sleep deprivation is complete absence of sleep. Partial is insufficient sleep night after night. Sleep can also appear to be sufficient in amount yet be poor in quality. This occurs with sleep apnea, marked by heavy snoring and occasional gasps for air - the person is awakened often hundreds of times a night without knowing it, gulping air due to a closed airway in the throat.
Signs & Symptoms
Sleep deprivation symptoms include irritability, fatigue, blurred vision, slurring of speech, memory lapses, and inability to concentrate. In extreme stages bizarre behavior and hallucinations can occur.
Diagnosis & Tests
A common measure of sleep deficit uses the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Score your answers to the eight questions below as follows:
0 = no chance of dozing
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing
- Sitting and reading
- Watching TV
- Sitting inactive in a public place (e.g. a theater or a meeting)
- As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break
- Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit
- Sitting and talking to someone
- Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol
- In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic
...and add the total score.
If your score is 1-6, you are getting enough sleep; 7-8 is common but 9 or more means you should think about seeking the advice of a sleep specialist.
|
|
 |
|
 |
Signs, symptoms & indicators of Lack of Sleep:
Conditions that suggest Lack of Sleep:
Risk factors for Lack of Sleep: | | | | | Diet |  Caffeine Intoxication | It almost goes without saying that coffee decreases the quality of sleep and is one of the leading causes of sleep disturbance. Coffee drinkers are sleepier and groggier than non-coffee drinkers when they get up in the morning, causing them to depend on coffee to get them going. This grogginess may be the result of their entering caffeine withdrawal during the night, or that drinking coffee kept them from sleeping well in the first place, or both. |
|
Symptoms - Sleep |
 Sleeping less than necessary
Counter-indicators:
 Sleeping more than necessary |
| | | | |
Lack of Sleep suggests the following may be present:
Lack of Sleep can lead to: | | | | | Laboratory Test Needed | Elevated Insulin Levels| | A study found that people who do not get enough sleep on a regular basis may become less sensitive to insulin which, over time, can raise the risk of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Chronic sleep deprivation (under 6.5 hours per night) had the same effect on insulin resistance as aging. |
|
| | | | |
Lack of Sleep could instead be:
Recommendations and treatments for Lack of Sleep:
KEY | | Weak or unproven link | | | Strong or generally accepted link |  | | Proven definite or direct link | | | Strongly counter-indicative |  | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Apnea
Cessation of breathing.
Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.
Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes, Diabetic, Diabetics)
A disease with increased blood glucose levels due to lack or ineffectiveness of insulin. Diabetes is found in two forms; insulin-dependent diabetes (juvenile-onset) and non-insulin-dependent (adult-onset). Symptoms include increased thirst; increased urination; weight loss in spite of increased appetite; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; frequent infections including bladder, vaginal, and skin; blurred vision; impotence in men; bad breath; cessation of menses; diminished skin fullness. Other symptoms include bleeding gums; ear noise/buzzing; diarrhea; depression; confusion.
Hallucination (Hallucinations)
A false or distorted perception of objects or events, including sensations of sight, sound, taste, smell or touch, typically accompanied by a powerful belief in their reality.
Hangover (Hangovers)
A commonly used nonmedical term for the disagreeable physical effects following excessive consumption of alcohol (or the use of other drugs).
Insulin
A hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to elevated blood glucose levels. Insulin stimulates the liver, muscles, and fat cells to remove glucose from the blood for use or storage.
Last updated: Apr 13, 2008
|
 |
|
|
