How To Treat Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation occurs when an individual receives an insufficient amount of sleep, typically less than seven to eight hours per night. Patients might experience acute sleep deprivation, in which they fail to obtain sufficient sleep for a few nights, and this could escalate to chronic sleep deprivation that continues for weeks, months, or years. Sleep deprivation reduces an individual's alertness, reaction time, and attention span, and it is associated with impaired judgment, an increase in risk-taking behavior, as well as an elevated risk for depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Signs of sleep deprivation generally include fatigue, yawning, poor concentration, moodiness, and forgetfulness. In addition to mental health considerations, sleep deprivation can increase a person's risk for physical health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. Patients who are struggling with sleep issues may be asked to undergo a sleep study.