Sleep deprivation for one or two days might not harm you but chronic sleep deprivation has serious consequences. Our busy schedules don’t seem to allow enough time for sleep, especially not the amount we actually need.

While average sleep time is 7 to 8 hours some people actually need 10 hours in order to meet their sleep needs. The key is to find out how much sleep you need on a regular basis to ensure that you wake up feeling rested and don’t feel the need for a nap.

The consequences of sleep deprivation include, not surprisingly, feeling sleepy. Lack of sleep also leads to mood changes and difficulty with decision making and behavior changes. Being sleep deprived makes people cranky and irritable and can contribute to anxiety and depression issues. Memory and performance are affected as are attention and concentration. Staying up studying all night before a test is exactly the opposite of what you should be doing!

Extreme lack of sleep leads to confusion and even visual hallucinations. The body feels physical effects as well, including stomach upset, muscle aches, and lower thresholds for pain.Hormone levels change due to sleep and even the thyroid gland will be affected.

So what is keeping everyone from getting the sleep they need? Our busy schedules are the first thing that comes to mind but many, many people suffer from undiagnosed sleep disorders. Both adults and children may suffer inadequate sleep because of sleep apnea, insomnia or restless leg syndrome.

If you feel tired all the time, it could be your sleep that is the problem. Contact Dr. Mark Levy in Columbus OH today at 614-476-6696 to schedule an evaluation. Sleep apnea can be treated using an oral appliance.