Sleep deprivation is caused due to stress, as stress leads to sleep deprivation. In Physiology,this is called a vicious cycle. It, therefore, necessitates the need for external intervention by doctors to rid of this menace.
A shortage of sleep can lead to problems such as High BP, DM, etc. which can cause stroke, MI, etc. besides causing weakened immunity and obesity. [DM stands for Diabetes Mellitus, a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose) while MI stands for Myocardial Infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, caused by the decrease of blood flow or its stoppage to the coronary artery of the heart.]
CASE STUDIES
One example to illustrate the impact of sleep deprivation on an individual’s health and well-being is that of John, a busy executive who frequently works long hours and often skips sleep to meet deadlines. Despite his busy schedule, he often feels fatigued and has difficulty concentrating during the day. He also experiences mood swings and irritability. After being evaluated by a sleep specialist, John is diagnosed with sleep deprivation. He is advised to make sleep a priority and to establish a regular sleep routine. He starts going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, avoiding caffeine and electronics before bed – and creating a relaxing bedtime routine – attempting to establish a functional circadian rhythm. He also makes time for regular exercise and stress management techniques. After a few weeks of implementing these changes, John notices a significant improvement in his energy levels and mood. He can concentrate better at work and can manage his stress levels more effectively. He also finds that his mood swings and irritability have decreased.
Another example is that of Sarah, a middle-aged woman who has been snoring loudly for many years. Her husband complains about the loud snoring and wakes up several times a night. Sarah is often tired during the day and has difficulty concentrating. Sarah is also getting colds and flu frequently. She visits a sleep specialist and it is found that she has sleep apnea. [Sleep apnea is a common condition in which breathing stops and restarts many times while sleeping. This can prevent the body from getting enough oxygen.] The specialist prescribed her continuous positive snoring. Sarah also loses weight and starts a regular exercise routine.
Both snoring and sleep apnea are intimately related – both are caused because muscles become flaccid during REM sleep, failure of which can cause us to act out our dreams. [REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement. During REM sleep, eyes move around rapidly in a range of directions, but don’t send any visual information to the brain.]
Sleeping well is a healthy sign and its deprivation is curable provided a person gets proper medical advice and acts accordingly.