The Ways to Deal with Sleep Deficiency

Many of us probably suffer a sleep deficiency in today's ever changing, chaotic world. Most US adults don't sleep as much as they need, which can quickly pile up every night.

We all had evenings where we just don't have a lot of sleep — sometimes it's okay to do it — and we tell ourselves: this weekend we are going to make up on my sleep.

Sadly, it's not so straightforward, and many people continue to feel terrible day by day as their sleep deficit continues to build. This not only keeps you fatigued but can potentially harm your health and put you at risk for accidents or other illnesses. Let's see what a sleep deficiency is and how you may take actions to avoid it or go for sleep apnea treatment immediately.

What is a deficit in sleep?

The sleep deficit, also known as a sleep indebtedness, differs from the number of sleep a person needs per night. For example, if every night you need seven hours of sleep and only five hours of sleep, you would have a sleep deficit of two hours.

You might feel fatigued from a sleep deficiency, but many times you may not feel sleepy even though you slept less than you needed. This is because the brains of individuals can adjust to chronic sleep constraints and consequently do not feel sleepy, even if their bodies show severe indicators of sleep deprivation.

Looking back at the scenario above, your sleep debt can appear transactional and you can put what you take back. It is very crucial, however, that you don't think like sleeping on a bank account; you cannot overdraw your account and afterwards pay it back.

What causes a deficit of sleep?

Insufficient sleep is a frequent cause of the sleep deficit of a person, due to problems such as:

  • Short length of sleep

  • Disorders of sleep including sleep insomnia and sleep apnea (OSA)

  • Other disorders of health, such restless legs condition or acid reflux

  • Low quality of sleep - from excessive alcohol or caffeine

Common behaviors can also add to sleep debt, including long-term job or travelling hours that reduce sleep, socialize or even use electronic gadgets. This is so frequent that it has a name: Revenge Bedtime Procrastination, when people forgo sleep for a little additional leisure time.

If you have a deficiency in your sleep, you may have unpleasant side effects such as brain fog or daytime sleep. These can of course make it a task to get through the next day. Amount of undisturbed REM sleep mixed with intervals of deep sleep is crucial to a healthy mind and body, to avoid sleep deficiency. Not only does loss of sleep make you feel fatigued and slow during the day, but it can be harmful.

Sleep Deprivation Dangers

Absence of sleep can mount up quickly – even modest deprivation of sleep can surprisingly impact the brain. In fact, one research did not sleep for 17-19 hours, while others consumed enough alcohol, to a level of 05 percent blood alcohol (BAC).

The performance of the sleep-deprived individuals in certain examinations was equal or worse than those who were alcoholic. And it only worsened throughout more sleepless periods. The idea that deprivation of sleep might so greatly affect you that you are legally drunk may seem alarming, but it's true.

Chronic absence of sleep makes you more likely to get injured and accidental and can lead to cognitive problems. This may include diminished alertness, concentration and a decrease in your mental wellness. Chronic sleep debt is a very serious problem you need to be aware of in order to be safe and healthy.

It is essential to go for sleep apnea treatment immediately to treat sleep deficiency. Contact Demsey Dental in Oklahoma City without delay.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.

Brandon Shavers