The Effects of Chronic Sleep Deprivation Essay - 1985 Words

Introduction Sleep is a behavior universal to all people, yet it remains largely a mystery. Chronic sleep deprivation has become rampant throughout western society, for a number of reasons. The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of sleep deprivation, with major objectives being to identify what sleep is, and the reasons for sleep. An emphasis is also placed on the effect, symptoms, causes and ways to combat sleep deprivation. These areas are of particular interest to those seeking to investigate sleep deprivation, or individuals who suffer from sleep deprivation by investigating the symptoms, causes and strategies to combat sleep deprivation. The information collated in this report was collected from a variety of†¦show more content†¦Human sleep occurs with circadian periodicity, through the use of an internal biological clock (Purves et al, 2001). The biological clock is maintained by the SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus) (Cherry, 2007). The cirdican rhythm of the body synchronises physiological processes such as sleep with the day light cycle, by detecting decreases in light sensitivity (Purves et al, 2001). Under decreased light exposure the body produces melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone (Smith et al, 2013). During the day, sunlight triggers the brain to inhibit melatonin production, inducing an alert state (Smith et al, 2013). The findings indicate that sleep is a relative state of unconsciousness that can be divided into NREM restorative sleep and REM sleep in which dreaming and memory consolidation occurs. Sleep is regulated by the Biological clock, which under decreased light exposure can stimulate melatonin production, a sleep-inducing hormone. Reasons behind sleep There is no general consensus as to why humans sleep. Many hypotheses have been formulated, each with varying credibility. One of the more credible hypotheses is the restoration concept (Foster, 2013). The restoration concept states that energy burned during the day is restored through sleep (Foster, 2013). Recent investigations have identified that when sleeping, certain genes associated with restoration areShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Mild Sleep Deprivation951 Words   |  4 Pagesseems as if no one ever gets enough sleep. An adult should average about 8-9 hours of sleep within a 24-hour period. However, for a majority of people this is just not reality. As students and faculty try to balance their busy schedules they are getting less and less sleep; they are sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation can be broken down into three categories: mild, moderate, and chronic. Mild sleep deprivation is losing about one hour to an hour and a half of sleep in a night. If this continues forRead MoreSleep Deprivation And Its Effects1738 Words   |  7 PagesSleep is a major component of human life, taking up almost a third of an individual’s lifetime and allowing the brain to process an individual’s experiences, thoughts, and memories. Proper sleep is vital to maintaining good health, as it is associated with maintenance of many of the body’s processes such as metabolism and disease prevention. This has become difficult as this modernizing world is completely changing the lifestyles of societies, and therefore the patterns of human sleep, due to schoolRead MoreSleep Deprivation And Its Effects On Society1431 Words   |  6 PagesBeing a full time student and avid participant in the community, sleep usually falls by the wayside as the struggle to mai ntain a healthy balance of activities and work continues. Sleep deprivation can actually be very devastating, having a huge affects on work ethic and focus. Sleep deprivation is â€Å"the condition of being robbed of sleep,† according to Dictionary.com. â€Å"A chronic sleep-restricted state can cause fatigue, daytime sleepiness, clumsiness, weight loss or weight gain,† giving it a substantialRead MoreSleep Deprivation Persuasive Speech1577 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Persuasive Speech for Students’ Chronic Sleep Deprivation Introduction: A. Attention Getting Opening: Over the past ten to twenty years, academic demands placed upon college students have increased significantly, this has lead to an increase in workload and amount of time needed to study for a specific course. Today, college students represent the most sleep-deprived division of the population in the U.S. (Sleep and Memory). 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It was either just a busy work week, or one night accidentally stayed up a few hours longer, but college students bring a new meaning to sleep deprivation. We are reported to be the highest number of sleep deprived people. Sleep deprivation comes in two stages: chronic and acute, whichever category, both come with extreme side-effects. The effects of chronic sleep deprivation form long-lasting symptomsRead MoreThe Effects Of Sleep Deprivation On Sleep Disorders926 Words   |  4 PagesCommission on Sleep Disorders Research, â€Å"at least 40 million Americans suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders† (Sleep Disorders and Sleeping Problems†). There are several causes for the increase in lack of sleep or sleep depriv ation; which include, using electronics late at night, using your bed for more than just sleeping, and anxiety. As a result of modern technology, there are many people who every now and then don’t sleep well, but there are several who experience what is called sleep deprivation:Read MoreThe Cumulative Cost Of Additional Wakefulness : Dose Response Effects On Neurobehavioral Functions And Sleep Physiology From Chronic Sleep887 Words   |  4 PagesWakefulness: Dose-Response Effects on Neurobehavioral Functions and Sleep Physiology From Chronic Sleep Restriction and Total Sleep Deprivation (P.A., H., Greg, M., Janet M., M., David F., D. (2003)†. This article was written and submitted for publication in 2003. I found this article very interesting due to the fact that I myself, work off a very unusual work schedule and feel that I am a victim of sleep deprivation personally. For example, I find that I maintain from 4-7.5 hours of sleep a night. This hasRead MoreSleep Deprivation And Sleep Disorders976 Words   |  4 Pagesbecome more about of society there has been a trend in peopl e who are not getting a full night’s rest. According to the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research, â€Å"at least 40 million Americans suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders† (Sleep Disorders and Sleeping Problems†). There are several causes for the increase in lack of sleep or sleep deprivation; which include, using electronics late at night, using your bed for more than just sleeping, and anxiety. As a result, of more American’sRead MoreThe Effects Of Sleep Deprivation On Sleep Disorders971 Words   |  4 Pagesbecome more about of society there has been a trend in people who are not getting a full night’s rest. According to the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research, â€Å"at least 40 million Americans suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders† (Sleep Disorders and Sleeping Problems†). There are several causes for the increase in lack of sleep or sleep deprivation; which include, using electronics late at night, using your bed for more than just sleeping, and anxiety. As a result, of more American’s