How to Prevent Sleep Deprivation
Anyone who’s ever experienced the phenomenon of not getting enough sleep can speak firsthand to how challenging the next day can be. While we all have different sleep needs, shorting yourself an hour, or two, or three or more regularly can have big consequences on your health. If you’re suffering from sleep deprivation, there may be a medical explanation and treatment options available. Learn more by reading below and reaching out to Distinctive Dental Solutions today.
Common Causes of Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation can be caused by a number of different things, including a variety of medical and non-medical explanations. Some of the common causes of sleep deprivation include:
- Sleep disorders. Sleep disorders are a common cause of sleep deprivation. One of the most common sleep disorders is sleep apnea, which refers to a condition where the sufferer stops breathing multiple times throughout the night. In addition to sleep apnea, other sleep disorders that commonly lead to loss of sleep include insomnia and restless leg syndrome (RLS).
- Medical disorder. Those who struggle with sleep deprivation but don’t have a sleep disorder may have their loss of sleep explained by another medical disorder. Types of medical conditions that often interfere with sleep include chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, substance abuse disorders, depression, schizophrenia, obesity, sleep apnea, bruxism, and bipolar disorder.
- Stress. Of course, most people have experienced the effects of stress on sleep. Sometimes, the stress of work or personal life can lead to racing thoughts or anxiety that keep people from sleep.
- Poor sleeping environment. A poor sleeping environment, such as a sleeping area that isn’t dark enough, quiet enough, or cool enough, may also prevent sleep.
Health Effects of Continued Sleep Deprivation
While losing sleep a night or two here and there isn’t likely to lead to a lot of long-term complications, continued and chronic sleep deprivation is something to be concerned about. Potential health complications of continued sleep deprivation include:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Heart attack
- Obesity
- Fertility issues
- Poor immune system
The above list isn’t inclusive. Sleep deprivation may affect different people in different ways and can have both short- and long-term complications.
How to Prevent Sleep Deprivation
Regardless of the cause of your sleep deprivation, it’s important to find a solution. If your sleep deprivation is caused due to a medical condition, you should speak with your doctor immediately. If you’re losing sleep due to stress, finding a way to manage your stress is important.
Call Distinctive Dental Solutions Today
At Distinctive Dental Solutions, our dentist provides treatment for teeth grinding (bruxism) and obstructive sleep apnea. To learn more about these conditions and how they may impact your sleep and your health, as well as treatment options available, call our team directly today.
