Warning Signs Of Sleep Deprivation

Current guidelines suggest healthy adults should aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night. According to healthcare experts, sleep deprivation is defined as a failure to obtain sufficient total sleep. Sleep deprivation has a cumulative effect, and individuals vary in how little sleep it takes to feel sleep-deprived. For example, one person may feel sleep-deprived after six hours of sleep, and another might only feel sleep-deprived after two or three hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation is associated with increased risks for obesity, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Insufficient sleep weakens the immune system, and sleep-deprived patients do not respond as well to vaccines as individuals who have had sufficient sleep. Sleep deprivation is also associated with kidney disease, stroke, and increased signs of skin aging. Patients struggling with sleep issues may want to see a sleep specialist for advice. The specialist will ask about the patient's sleep routines and sleeping environment, and the patient might be asked to participate in a sleep study to check for underlying medical conditions that could be affecting sleep quality and duration.

The major symptoms of sleep deprivation are discussed below.

Yawning And Fatigue

Yawning and fatigue are both signs of insufficient sleep, and these can occur after even just one night of poor sleep. For example, patients might find themselves yawning on their commute to work or at the office the next day, and they may yawn more frequently as the day progresses. Fatigue can make patients feel groggy, and it is often difficult for patients to stay awake throughout work. After a night of poor sleep, it is common for individuals to feel like they need to take a nap during the day to catch up on sleep. Both yawning and fatigue increase with each successive night of poor sleep, and fatigue is known to impair coordination. This could increase a patient's risk for motor vehicle accidents, trips, and falls. Patients who experience fatigue that is not relieved by a few nights of sufficient sleep should see a doctor to check for underlying health issues. While fatigued, patients might want to use public transportation if possible, and it could also help to avoid operating heavy machinery during this time.

Uncover more indicators of sleep deprivation now.

Forgetfulness

Sleep deprivation negatively impacts the brain, and this typically manifests as forgetfulness. Short-term, long-term, and working memory are all affected. Sufficient sleep enables the brain to form connections that help the patient with information processing and retention. Sleep deprivation disturbs this process, and patients could notice they struggle with routine tasks as a result. For example, they might forget where they put their keys, have difficulty recalling words and completing sentences, or accidentally omit an ingredient from a recipe. Studies have shown individuals who are dealing with sleep deprivation have to put in much more effort than others to complete basic verbal reasoning tasks, for example. Forgetfulness associated with sleep deprivation usually improves if the patient starts to get sufficient sleep consistently. Patients who regularly struggle with forgetfulness even with sufficient sleep should have a neurologist evaluate their memory.

Continue reading to learn more about the warning signs of sleep deprivation now.

Moodiness

Patients who experience sleep deprivation for a few nights typically display moodiness. They might be irritable, and they could overreact or become quick-tempered. In addition, they could seem more troubled than usual by stressful situations, and they might have a lower threshold for what they define 'stressful.' Research indicates sleep-deprived individuals tend to report increases in negative moods such as anger, frustration, and sadness, and they also experience a decrease in positive feelings. Chronic sleep deprivation over weeks, months, or years elevates an individual's risk of developing clinical depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions. Patients who experience moodiness after a night or two of insufficient sleep should try to take a nap if possible, and they may find that their mood returns to normal once they can catch up on sleep. Individuals who are chronically sleep-deprived may need help from sleep specialists and mental health professionals to improve their sleep quality and treat their anxiety or depression.

Read more about the symptoms of sleep deprivation now.

Lack Of Motivation

Lack of motivation is a frequent symptom of chronic sleep deprivation. Individuals might feel overwhelmed by even the simplest tasks at home or work, and they could feel unable to start a task at all. This lack of motivation may progress to chronic procrastination, and patients could have poor work or school performance. Patients may not be able to focus on their goals, and it may seem impossible to even define their goals. Lack of motivation is often seen in depressed patients, and sleep-deprived individuals who display this symptom or who have depression may also be more likely to engage in risk-taking, dangerous behavior in the long term. They are significantly more likely to experience suicidal thoughts. Individuals who struggle with motivation over a prolonged period may want to keep a journal to document their struggles, and it could also help to see a sleep specialist. Motivation may improve with sufficient sleep.

Uncover more details on the warning signs of sleep deprivation now.

Inability To Concentrate

Sleep deprivation is strongly linked to an inability to concentrate. The effects of sleep deprivation on an individual's short-term memory make it hard for them to organize things, make plans, and come up with creative solutions to problems. Studies show sleep-deprived patients have shorter attention spans than those who are not sleep-deprived. Sleep deprivation causes individuals to be less alert, and patients often develop impairments in judgment and reasoning skills. Decision making becomes challenging, and patients are easily confused. They are less able to correctly assess the risk associated with certain situations, and they might make poor choices as a result. Work evaluations, school grades, relationships, and family life could all suffer due to an inability to concentrate. Patients who notice this symptom regularly may want to consider having a sleep study. For most individuals, concentration issues caused by a few nights of sleep deprivation will improve once they are well-rested.