Many Americans are chronically sleep-deprived; up to eighty percent of adults, by some estimates. Much of this deprivation can be attributed to ever-more frantic lifestyles, and most people understand the basic effects of poor sleeping habits. Some have found relief through sleep inducing drugs and comfort related products like memory foam mattresses, www.sleepaidfactory.com, but the problem is still widespread. Lack of sleep can make us feel drowsy during the day, we may become irritable, depressed and lack motivation, but there are other, more serious risks. Sleep deprivation can make everyday activities like driving more dangerous, and has the potential to impact every facet of our lives. Sleep is essential to life. In some laboratory studies, rats who were denied REM stage sleep lived only a few weeks, from a normal lifespan of several years. Clinical studies have also shown repeatedly that for drivers, fatigue can be as dangerous as intoxication. More than 100,000 accidents per year can be attributed to fatigue, and many of those drivers may not even have realized how tired they were.

While the need for sleep varies greatly for each individual, most adults require between seven and eight hours of sleep per night. Some may need as few as five hours, while others may require as many as ten hours per night. Contrary to what many believe, the body does not "adapt" to less sleep, but rather, lost sleep contributes to what scientists call our "sleep debt". If we miss one hour of sleep every night for several days, eventually our bodies will demand repayment. Many people find time on the weekends for these extra hours of sleep, but this constant cycle of depletion and renewal takes its toll.

Studies at the University of Chicago indicate that those suffering from sleep deprivation have a reduced ability to regulate glucose and produce insulin, displaying symptoms similar to early stage diabetes. While these effects were temporary, this study implies that chronic sleep deprivation could eventually lead to an increased risk of diabetes and obesity. Sleep deprivation can also increase the risk of depression, and some studies indicate that prolonged sleep deprivation may contribute to the development of fibromyalgia syndrome.

Clinical studies have repeatedly shown the sleep deprivation inhibits creative thinking, reaction time, language skills and almost all other higher brain functions. One of the major causes of sleep deprivation is pressure point arousal. Pressure point arousal, caused mainly by inadequate sleep surfaces, is a process by which by which the body is constantly disturbed from deep sleep because of minute disruptions. The loss of deep sleep can have many of the same effects as sleep loss in general. The deep sleep stages and especially REM stage sleep are the most important periods of brain activity. If we miss out on these sleep stages, we might never feel rested, even with a "full" 8 hours of rest. There are several products on the market, like memory foam mattresses www.healco.com/mattresses.html , www.a1mattress.com/mattress-page.html that are designed to eliminate pressure point arousal, and they have made a dramatic difference in the lives of some individuals.

Sleep is a health necessity that is too often ignored. Our society pushes us to sleep less and accomplish more, but there is a point when all of that hard work and no rest can become counterproductive. If you think you aren't getting the rest you need, consult a physician. Also, be sure to check out the links on this page for more information on sleep deprivation and related topics.

Ben Harvey-Pr Director for Sleep Aid Products