Most of us have pulled an all-nighter now and then or had nightmares or a sleepless night once in a while but for some people sleep deprivation can be a serious problem that affects their well-being. So how do you find out whether you suffer from sleep deprivation? Here are some pointers.
Sleep deprivation symptoms: Adults
If you wake up in the morning feeling exhausted and groggy this can be a sign that you have not had enough sleep. If the feeling of grogginess stays with you throughout the day making you yawn constantly this could be another symptom.
Do you tend to nod off while watching TV or doing something physically inactive?
Are your eyes red or blurry? Have you experienced changes in appetite? Your body might be trying to tell you something. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to many severe health issues such as diabetes and obesity. People who do not get at least seven ours of sleep a day are more prone to these conditions. Not getting enough sleep also compromises your immune system leading to frequent infections. So if you have never ending colds or you may need to look at whether you are getting adequate sleep. The lack of sleep also affects your brain and mind and manifests itself in many related symptoms. Poor concentration, poor memory and the inability to think clearly or speak coherently may indicate that you are not getting enough sleep. You might also experience rapid mood swings and general irritability if you have not had enough sleep.
Sleep deprivation symptoms: Children
Children fail to make the connection between the symptoms and sleep deprivation. They feel out of sorts but don’t know why. So if your child becomes moody and irritable or if your child has temper tantrums, you should check whether your child is sleep deprived. Your child’s teacher can help you identify whether your child is sleep deprived. If your child is constantly groggy and passive in class or if he or she falls asleep in class it’s time to do something about it. Surprisingly, hyperactive behaviour can also indicate sleep deprivation in children. Ask your child about their sleeping patterns you might notice any changes or problems.
Sleep deprivation can be a personal choice. It might be triggered by stress or overworking. It might be caused by a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. Problems in your sleep environment such as noisy neighbours or poor heating can compromise your sleep. Whatever the cause maybe, if you are sleep deprived it can have devastating effect on your health and well-being. It is a good idea to keep a sleep log where you record the hours of sleep you had each day and how well you slept so that you can see if you have a problem. If you do, discuss it with a health care professional. As the Irish say a long sleep is the best cure in the doctor’s book so make sure you are getting your dose of it.