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EFFECTS Generally, lack of sleep may result in12345678:
Diabetes A 1999 study by the University Of Chicago Medical Center showed that sleep deprivation severely affects the human body's ability to metabolize Glucose , which can lead to early-stage Diabetes Type 2 .9 Effects on the brain Sleep deprivation can adversely affect brain function.10 A 2000 study, by the UCSD School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in San Diego, used Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging technology to monitor activity in the brains of sleep-deprived subjects performing simple verbal learning tasks.11 The study showed that regions of the brain's Prefrontal Cortex displayed more activity in sleepier subjects. Depending on the task at hand, the brain would sometimes attempt to compensate for the adverse effects caused by lack of sleep. The Temporal Lobe , which is a brain region involved in language processing, was activated during verbal learning in rested subjects but not in sleep deprived subjects. The Parietal Lobe , not activated in rested subjects during the verbal exercise, was more active when the subjects were deprived of sleep. Although memory performance was less efficient with sleep deprivation, greater activity in the parietal region was associated with better memory. A 2001 Study at Harvard's Medical Institute suggested that sleep deprivation may be linked to more serious diseases, such as heart disease. Animal studies suggest that sleep deprivation increases stress hormones, which may reduce new cell production in adult brains. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6347043.stm Effects on growth A 1999 studyAlexandros N. Vgontzas, George Mastorakos, Edward O. Bixler, Anthony Kales, Philip W. Gold & George P. Chrousos, published in Clinical Endocrinology, Volume 51 Issue 2 Page 205, August 1999 found that sleep deprivation resulted in reduced Cortisol secretion the next day, driven by increased subsequent Slow-wave Sleep . Sleep deprivation was found to enhance activity on the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal Axis (which controls reactions to stress and regulates body functions such as Digestion , the immune system, Mood , Sex , or energy usage) while suppressing Growth Hormone s. The results supported previous studies, which observed Adrenal Insufficiency in Idiopathic Hypersomnia . Effects on the healing process A study conducted in 2005 showed that a group of rats who were deprived of five days of sleep had no significant effect on their ability to heal wounds, compared to a group of rats not deprived of sleep.12 Impairment of ability According to a 2000 study published in the British Scientific Journal , researchers in Australia and New Zealand reported that sleep deprivation can have some of the same hazardous effects as being drunk.1314 People who drove after being awake for 17–19 hours performed worse than those with a blood alcohol level of .05 percent, which is the legal limit for drunk driving in most western European countries (the U.S. and UK set their Blood Alcohol Limit s at .08 percent). In addition, as a result of continuous muscular activity without proper rest time, effects such as cramping are much more frequent in sleep-deprived individuals. Extreme cases of sleep deprivation have been reported to be associated with hernias, muscle fascia tears, and other such problems commonly associated with physical overexertion. Beyond impaired motor skills, people who get too little sleep may have higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression, and may take unnecessary risks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 100,000 traffic accidents each year are caused by fatigue and drowsiness.1516 A new study has shown that while total sleep deprivation for one night caused many errors, the errors were not significant until after the second night of total sleep deprivation.17 The response latency seem to be higher when it comes to actions regarding personal morality rather than in situations when morality is not in question. The willingness to violate a personal belief has been shown to be moderated by EQ , so people with high EQ are affected less by sleep deprivation in such situations.18 Obesity Several large studies using nationally representative samples suggest that the 1999 The association between sleep deprivation and obesity appears to be strongest in young and middle-age adults. Other scientists hold that the physical discomfort of obesity and related problems, such as Sleep Apnea , reduce an individual's chances of getting a good night's sleep. USES Scientific study In science, sleep deprivation (of rodents, e.g.) is used in order to study the function(s) of Sleep and the biological mechanisms underlying the effects of sleep deprivation. Some sleep deprivation techniques are as follows:
Torture Sleep deprivation is used as a torture or interrogation technique (for example, in argued that sleep deprivation does not constitute torture. 2021 In rats, prolonged, complete sleep deprivation increases both food intake and energy expenditure, leading to weight loss and, ultimately, death. 22 Nicole Bieske, a spokeswoman for Amnesty International Australia, has stated, "At the very least, deprivation is cruel, inhumane and degrading. If used for prolonged periods of time it is torture."23 Treatment for depression Recent studies show sleep deprivation has some potential in the treatment of depression. About 60% of patients, when sleep-deprived, show immediate recovery, with most relapsing the following night. The incidence of relapse can be decreased by combining sleep deprivation with medication 24. Incidentally, many Tricyclic Antidepressants happen to suppress REM sleep, providing additional evidence for a link between mood and sleep 25. Similarly, Tranylcypromine has been shown to completely suppress REM sleep at adequate doses. Voluntary Sleep deprivation is often used as a form of recreation, entertainment or to provide a legal "high" without using stimulants. Vivid hallucinations, heightened senses and a feeling of incredible creativity (common effects of illicit drugs) may occur after 48 hours (or less) of being in a state of sleeplessness. CAUSES AND TREATMENTS School In the survey found that students get an average of 6.8 hours of sleep.31 Students get more sleep in the summer than during the school year.32 One in four US high school students admits to falling asleep in class at least once a week.33 Prevention of effects in soldiers Since sleep deprivation is a fact of modern combat, the U.S. Army , through DARPA , has a "Preventing Sleep Deprivation Program", which has the goal to prevent the harmful effects of sleep deprivation and provide methods for recovery of function with particular emphasis on cognitive and psychomotor impairments. Their efforts include new pharmaceuticals that enhance neural transmission, Nutraceutical s that promote Neurogenesis , cognitive training, and devices such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation . Militaries of several countries, including the US, the UK, and France, have been exploring the use of a drug called Modafinil (brand name Provigil), which has prevented negative effects of sleep deprivation. Although modafinil is not a typical stimulant, it eliminates fatigue, promotes wakefulness, and improves alertness; it was initially developed for sufferers of Narcolepsy . SEE ALSO REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
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