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- $Unique_ID{BRK00060}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What Happens When You Don't Get Enough Sleep?}
- $Subject{sleep fatigue ill defined symptoms Neurological biochemical hormonal
- synchronizer psychotic hallucinations paranoid sleeping symptom}
- $Volume{N-1}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- What Happens When You Don't Get Enough Sleep?
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- QUESTION: What with studies, a part time job, and just plain too much to do,
- I am sure I am not getting the sleep I should. I know it's having a bad
- effect on me. What happens when you don't get enough sleep?
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- ANSWER: After a couple of days without enough sleep, you get pretty grumpy.
- After a longer period, that grumpiness and inability to concentrate become
- more pronounced. Neurological, biochemical and hormonal changes occur when
- sleep is disrupted; sleep is a powerful synchronizer of many of our body's
- functions. Sleep research is difficult to perform because individuals vary
- greatly in their need for sleep, and in their reactions to sleep disruptions.
- We know that we all react to interrupted sleep with fatigue, inability to
- concentrate and a general feeling of discomfort. However, we don't know what
- the actual physical effects of sleep interruption can be. Chronic lack of
- sleep is believed to have long-term health and psychological effects.
- Total lack of sleep for more than four continuous days and nights often
- causes psychotic reactions such as hallucinations and paranoid feelings. Some
- people react with psychotic disturbances after as little as 24 hours without
- sleep.
- When you are faced with a lack of sleep, especially over a long period of
- time, be sure you eat a balanced diet and get as much rest as possible. Try
- to establish a regular pattern of sleep, even if you are not getting as much
- sleep as you need. Burning the candle at both ends, and in the middle as
- well, can not be helping your studies. Why not try a session with your school
- counselor, and see if between you a more logical program can be developed that
- can help you attack your problems without killing yourself.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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