The Effects of a Lack of Sleep

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Effects of a lack of sleep, known as insomnia, is the most common classification of sleep disorders. It was estimated that thirty to forty million Americans have difficulty staying asleep, falling asleep or waking earlier than they would like to, and cannot get back to sleep. Most people settle that this is just a part of life, and the poor quality of sleep proceeds to eat away at the quality of life that could be attained. This seems to be a silent menace that people do not seem to take seriously and could be handled through learning how to deal with stress, taking melatonin, exercise regularly, medicines, or even surgery. Research in youth and adult has found that insomnia can affect a persons behavior; such as violent to lethargic behaviors, including physical health complications. It is an important issue and should be given more thought in the seriousness of the condition.
Insomnia; is also known as a deficiency of sleep or sleep deprivation. People with this condition are apt to suffer from inadequate sleep and be a candidate in the battle of depression. Other symptoms are having poor concentration, and can be involved in auto accidents; from a lack of focus. Having sleep deprivation issues for prolonged periods of time; can cause a person some sort of health dilemma, whether mental or physical. (Harvard Medical School)
Sleep deprivation alters the production and action of some hormones, reducing the secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone and increasing blood levels, this shows mostly during the afternoon and evening hours. Higher cortisol levels are distinctive to the much older subjects and are thought to be linked to age-related health problems, such as insulin resistance and memory complications. (University of Chic...

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...ut autistic regression: Sleep in autism. Journal of Sleep Research, 20(2), 338-347. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2869.2010.00882.x
Harvard Medical School (n.d.). Sleep and Disease Risk | Healthy Sleep. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences/sleep-and-disease-risk
LINCCWeb Catalog Search. (2008, March). Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://dx.doi.org.db04.linccweb.org/10.1586/17446651.3.2.269
The University of Chicago Medicine (n.d.). Lack of sleep alters hormones, metabolism, simulates effects of aging - The University of Chicago Medicine. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/1999/19991021-sleepdebt.html
University of Maryland Medical Center (2013, May 7). Melatonin | University of Maryland Medical Center. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/melatonin

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