Introduction:

Weighted blankets have become increasingly popular in recent years for their ability to provide a comforting and calming sensation. For those suffering from fibromyalgia, the benefits of these blankets may extend beyond just relaxation. You may think to yourself, well isn’t this just a heavy blanket? No, the science around weighted blankets is growing.  Studies suggest that weighted blankets can alleviate symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, making them a potential solution for those seeking relief from chronic pain and discomfort.

1. Understanding Fibromyalgia and its Effect on the Nervous System

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects the nervous system, causing widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body. It is often accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it is believed to be related to abnormal processing of pain signals in the brain and spinal cord. This can lead to an increased sensitivity to pain, as well as an overactive stress response. Fibromyalgia can be difficult to diagnose and treat, but there are a variety of approaches that can be helpful, including lifestyle changes, medication, and alternative therapies like weighted blankets.

2. How Weighted Blankets Help Alleviate Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Weighted blankets are a type of therapeutic blanket that is designed to provide deep pressure stimulation to the body. This pressure can help to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality. For fibromyalgia sufferers, weighted blankets can be particularly helpful in reducing pain and discomfort, as well as improving mood and overall quality of life. The weight of the blanket can help to calm the nervous system and reduce the intensity of pain signals, while also promoting the release of feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine.

3. Gentle Pressure vs. Deep Pressure Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Relief

When it comes to using weighted blankets for fibromyalgia relief, there are two main types of pressure that can be used gentle pressure and deep pressure touch stimulation. Gentle pressure involves the use of lighter weights and can be helpful for those who are sensitive to touch or have mild pain. Deep pressure stimulation involves the use of heavier weights and can be more effective for those with moderate to severe pain. Both types of pressure can be helpful, depending on the individual’s needs and preferences.

4. The Impact of Weight on Fibromyalgia Patients and Weighted Blankets

Weight can have a significant impact on fibromyalgia patients, as excess weight can exacerbate symptoms and make it more difficult to manage pain. Weighted blankets can be helpful in this regard, as they provide a non-invasive way to apply pressure to the body without adding extra weight. This can be especially beneficial for those who are overweight or obese, as they may find it difficult to tolerate the added weight of a traditional blanket.

5. The Benefits of Using Glass Beads in Weighted Blankets for Fibromyalgia Relief

Glass beads are a popular filling material for weighted blankets, as they are hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and provide a smooth, even weight distribution. For fibromyalgia sufferers, glass beads can be particularly beneficial, as they are less likely to trigger allergies or cause skin irritation. Additionally, the smooth texture of the beads can be soothing to the touch, providing an added level of comfort and relaxation.

6. Can Weighted Blankets Help with Chronic Fatigue in Fibromyalgia Sufferers?

Chronic fatigue is a common symptom of fibromyalgia, and can be difficult to manage with traditional treatments. Weighted blankets may be helpful in this regard, as they can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, which can in turn help to reduce fatigue and increase energy levels. By providing deep pressure stimulation to the body, weighted blankets can also help to reduce stress and promote a sense of calm, which can be beneficial for those with chronic fatigue.

7. Other Medical Conditions that May Benefit from Weighted Blankets

While weighted blankets are often used to treat fibromyalgia, they can also be helpful for a variety of other medical conditions, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and ADHD. There can even be benefits to those with joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis or panic disorder. The deep pressure stimulation provided by the blanket can help to reduce symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

8. How Heavy Blankets Provide Pain Relief for Fibromyalgia Patients

The weight of a blanket can be a powerful tool in reducing pain and discomfort for fibromyalgia sufferers. By applying deep pressure stimulation to the body, the blanket can help to reduce the intensity of pain signals and promote relaxation. This can be particularly helpful for those with chronic muscle pain, as it can provide a non-invasive and drug-free way to manage symptoms.

9. The Optimal Weight of a Blanket for Fibromyalgia Sufferers

The optimal weight of a blanket for fibromyalgia sufferers will vary depending on the individual’s needs and preferences. Generally, a blanket that is 10% of the person’s body weight is recommended, but some may prefer a heavier or lighter weight. It is important to choose a blanket that feels comfortable and provides the right amount of pressure for the individual.

10. Improving Sleep Quality for Fibromyalgia Sufferers with Weighted Blankets

Sleep disturbances are a common symptom of fibromyalgia, and can be difficult to manage with traditional treatments. Weighted blankets can be helpful in this regard, as they promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. By providing deep pressure stimulation to the body, the blanket can help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can in turn improve sleep quality and duration.

11. Weighted Blankets and Their Effect on Blood Pressure in Fibromyalgia Patients

High blood pressure is a common comorbidity of fibromyalgia, and can be difficult to manage with traditional treatments. Weighted blankets may be helpful in this regard, as they can promote relaxation and reduce stress, which can in turn help to lower blood pressure. Additionally, the deep pressure stimulation provided by the blanket can help to improve circulation and promote overall cardiovascular health.

12. Common Fibromyalgia Symptoms that Weighted Blankets Can Help Alleviate

Weighted blankets can be helpful in alleviating a variety of common fibromyalgia symptoms, including chronic pain conditions, fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, elevated stress levels and depression. By providing deep pressure stimulation to the body, the blanket can help to reduce the intensity of pain signals, promote relaxation, and improve overall quality of life.

13. Duration of Use

How Long Should Fibromyalgia Sufferers Use Weighted Blankets? The duration of use for a weighted blanket will vary depending on the individual’s needs and preferences. Some may find that using the blanket for a few hours each night is sufficient, while others may prefer to use it throughout the day as well. It is important to listen to your body and use the blanket in a way that feels comfortable and beneficial.

14. Using Weighted Blankets in Conjunction with Other Fibromyalgia Treatments

Weighted blankets can be used in conjunction with other fibromyalgia treatments, including medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. By providing a non-invasive and drug-free way to manage symptoms, weighted blankets can be a valuable addition to a comprehensive treatment plan impacting both physical and mental health.

15. Potential Risks and Side Effects of Using Weighted Blankets for Fibromyalgia Relief

While weighted blankets are generally considered safe, there are some potential risks and side effects to be aware of. These may include skin irritation, discomfort, and difficulty breathing. It is important to choose a high-quality blanket that is properly sized and weighted, and to use it in a way that feels comfortable and beneficial. If you experience any adverse effects, it is important to discontinue use and consult with a healthcare professional.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, weighted blankets can provide comforting benefits for fibromyalgia relief. By providing deep pressure stimulation to the body, they can help to reduce pain, improve sleep quality, and promote relaxation and overall well-being. While there are some potential risks and side effects to be aware of, when used properly and in conjunction with other treatments, weighted blankets can be a valuable addition to a comprehensive fibromyalgia management plan. Here is a link to some of the best weighted blankets on the market:

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Summary

A weighted blanket can be a helpful tool for fibromyalgia sufferers, as gentle pressure from the blanket can alleviate symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and sleepless nights. The weight of the blanket affects how it provides relief, with glass beads or plastic pellets being a popular choice due to their even distribution. Using a weighted blanket can also improve blood pressure and may benefit other medical conditions such as restless leg syndrome. It is important to find the optimal weight for each individual and to use it daily for best results. However, there may be potential risks or side effects associated with using a weighted blanket, so it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before use.

But believe it or not, a prescribed sleeping pill is actually not the best answer to turn to if you truly want to sleep better at night and completely end your sleep deprivation.

The Bedroom is Not an Office Space

Often times we struggle to fall asleep because also use our bedroom as an office space. We may have computers, phones, or other electronic equipment in there where we work.

When we try to sleep, we are instead reminded of the work environment. If you work from home, you should have a separate room in the house to serve as an office space.

Watch a Movie or Show Before You Bed

This certainly won’t work with many people, but for some, lying down in bed while watching a TV show or movie will put them to sleep.

This will be more effective for people if it’s a boring movie or show; if it’s one of your favorites or one that’s exciting, you’ll probably stay up all night!

Relax

Just try to relax before bed. Many scientific studies have shown that calming down and relaxing before bed will lead to a more peaceful sleep.

You can try taking a hot bath or drinking something warm. Anything you can do to relax yourself will aid greatly in how well you sleep that night.

Be Wary of Medication

You should definitely be wary of all the medication out there that’s supposedly designed to help you get better sleep at night.

A lot of the medication out there won’t help you at all, and make in fact only make you worse with unwarranted side effects.

Even though some of the medication will work, a lot of it will only help get you by rather than actually improving your sleep deprivation.

Another problem with these medications that do work is that they won’t just make you feel sleepy at night…they could make you feel sleepy during the day too!

If you do want to try taking medication, you should always consult with your doctor or medical professional first. You doctor should be able to know which medications are good and which ones aren’t.

Avoid Drinking Before Going to Bed

This doesn’t just go for not drinking alcohol. It does for caffeine too. Drinking alcohol or caffeine before bed will not only make it more difficult to actually fall asleep, but it could cause you to wake up numerous more times throughout the night as well.

The next day, you’ll feel much more tired as well. This is especially true for alcohol; many people believe that drinking an alcoholic beverage before bed will cause them to get better sleep, but in reality, the reverse is true.

Don’t Feel Stressed Out From Work

In other words, you shouldn’t work all day and then go to bed right after work is finished. You need to put some time in between the end of work and going to bed; otherwise, you’ll go to sleep feeling stressed out about work.

Sometimes, this time difference only needs to be as little as thirty minutes, but just as long as you do have some time in between, you’ll find that you’ll get much more sleep, and you’ll wake up the next morning feeling much more rested and ready for the day.

Don’t Feel Stressed Out From Anything

This may feel pretty general, and almost like a no-brainer. The truth is that people with higher levels of stress aren’t able to sleep as well, and on the other hand, people who aren’t able to sleep very well become stressed out, sometimes over the simplest things.

You should do whatever you can to calm down and get as much of the stress out of your body.

You will find that it is hard, and you may need to do some more research to find out other techniques and strategies for getting the stress out of your body, but if you can become relieved of stress then you’ll be able to get much more (and better) sleep.

If you still find that you wake up repeatedly in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep for long periods of time, you can try getting up and relaxing, such as taking a warm bath or drinking a warm beverage, before returning back to bed.

Get Plenty of Exercise

You should try to dedicate anywhere from thirty minutes to one hour of your time each day to exercise.

If you dedicate this time either to the morning when you wake up, or to the evening around dinner time (or maybe you want to divide the time in half), then you will find that it greatly promotes more sleep each night.

Consult Your Doctor

You should absolutely stay in touch with your doctor throughout your quest to ending sleep deprivation. Your doctor will provide you with much needed advice and instructions, and also provide medication that will actually work.

There are also sleep specialists that you can talk with as well.  The truth is that a minority of Americans discusses sleeping problems with their doctor, and as a result they may not receive proper guidance.

These are just a few of the many different treatments and methods you can use to get more sleep in your life.

Too many Americans are impacted negatively in their daily lives simply from not enough sleep at night, and if you are one of those people, then following these methods should definitely help you see improvements greatly.

Yes, it actually can. Believe it or not, but sleep deprivation can be one of the factors behind a person’s death.

Sleep deprivation is one of the many problems millions of Americans face today, and not being careful enough about it can have serious repercussions.

Death is the ultimate consequence of sleep deprivation; it may not happen, but it certainly could. This article will discuss the different risks of sleep deprivation that can potentially lead to death.

Everyone needs sleep. Without it, we can’t exactly function as we should. The less amount of sleep we get, then the less we are able to function normally, and the more fatigued and stressed out as well.

The average person needs between seven to nine hours of sleep each night to function normally, but unfortunately, many people only sleep between four and six.

You know you suffer from sleep deprivation if you begin to suffer greatly from repeated nights of not getting enough sleep.

You may wake up repeatedly in the middle of the night, go to bed late and wake up early, or maybe don’t even sleep on some nights at all.

As a result, you’ll feel excessively sleepy during the day. Once the symptoms set in, there’s no time at all before the effects of sleep deprivation can threaten your health…and your life.

Death and Sleep Deprivation

Of course, if you don’t get any sleep at all, death is inevitable. This is known as chronic sleep deprivation, in which an individual gets literally no, or at least very, very little, sleep at all.

Eventually, it will get to the point where the individual is unable to sleep all together. This will ultimately lead to death.

Hopefully, you don’t have chronic sleep deprivation. Having just sleep deprivation alone, however, has numerous health risks that could threaten your life. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to eliminate these threats.

On the Road

One of the primary areas of concern when it comes to sleep deprivation is driving on the road. Feeling fatigued greatly lowers your ability to react or recognize what’s going on.

You could potentially even fall asleep behind the wheel, but the primary thing to be concerned about here is the lack of concentration while driving. You don’t only endanger yourself, but also the people around you.

Dozens of scientific and medical studies have been conducted to show the effects of sleep deprivation and how it correlates to driving.

Many other studies have been conducted using driving simulations to show how safe (or not how safe) it is to drive while heavily fatigued.

The studies have yielded the fact that sleeping less than seven hours a night can impact your driving abilities, and that people who sleep less than seven hours are much more likely to be involved in a driving accident.

This is especially true for driving at night. While there are safety regulations in place, it’s ultimately up to you to be the judge of whether you are fit for driving.

If you are feeling too sleep deprived and fatigued to drive but need to go somewhere, then don’t feel afraid to ask someone else, such as a friend or family member, to drive you into work or wherever it is you need to go.

Work Accidents

Let’s say that you successfully drive to work. Well, there are also many reports of accidents at work that are greatly related to sleep deprivation.

A person who is sleep deprived at work, especially if other people and workers are in the same vicinity, are a major risk factor. We are also supposed to be asleep at night, so if a sleep deprived person is working a night shift, this is especially true.

You could unintentionally cause an accident that could inflict an injury on another person, and in extreme situations, could even cause death to that person. You could also bring about death to yourself, if you’re not careful.

Many natural disasters themselves have been noted as the result of sleep deprivation. When we are fatigued, our senses our down and we can’t perform the tasks before us like we should.

Heart Disease

Being sleep deprived will greatly increase your risk of developing some form of heart disease, and this is perhaps the greatest risk of all.

People who do not get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night are three times more likely to develop a heart attack than people who do.

A reasonable question you might have is what is the correlation between sleep deprivation and heart disease? The reality is that when we don’t get enough sleep, our blood levels increase, which also spikes an increase in inflammation.

Inflammation can also damage our blood vessels, a significant factor in increasing the risk of a heart attack. Our vessels are considered damaged when they are either hardened or narrowed, but either way, its bad news.

Obesity

There is also a strong correlation between sleep deprivation and obesity. Scientific studies have shown that being sleep deprived leads to us building a bigger appetite, which in turn means we consume more foods high in both carbs and fat.

Slowly but steadily, we’ll gain in weight to the point where we can be considered obese, and at that point, the risk of death will increase as well.

There are numerous reasons for why sleep deprivation can endanger our health to the point that it can threaten our lives, and the lives of others, as well.

This is just an outline and discussion of some of the more notable and dangerous ones. It is absolutely important that we get enough sleep, and while being deprived of sleep doesn’t mean that we will die eventually, it does mean that the risk of death is greatly increased.

Therefore, do whatever you can to catch up on sleep if you haven’t already.

And if you’ve been suffering from sleep deprivation lately, there’s a chance you could be diagnosed with depression.

Plain and simple, there is a very strong correlation between sleep deprivation and depression.

A common trait found in more people diagnosed with depression is the inability to sleep very well.

Of course, sleep deprivation is not the one and only cause of depression and depression is not the one cause of sleep deprivation either.

However, roughly one-third of Americans who suffer from sleep deprivation also suffer from depression. A key sign of a person having clinical depression is they are getting too little sleep.

And ultimately, the sleep deprivation is only going to get worse as depression worsens as well, so it’s important that you act now.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are some of the most common solutions for dealing with depression.

However, most antidepressants come with a number of side effects that can cause a number of unwarranted cons on a number of people.

People who take anti-depressants can suffer from nausea and diarrhea, or feel dizzy. You may think antidepressants are the right solution now, but if you take them and feel the side effects, you may realize that other solutions could look better than before.

In the long run, you should feel better-taking antidepressants, but if you don’t or if the side effects take their toll on you, then you definitely need to consider some of the other options.

And ultimately, if you continue to only sleep four to six hours a night instead of seven to nine, the problems of being deprived of sleep are only bound to continue.

And if you don’t have depression, the antidepressants will have very little, if any, the effect on your sleep deprivation.

Clinical Depression

Clinical depression is more than just another form of depression. It’s an official mood disorder. If you are diagnosed with clinical depression, then that means that you feel sad and worthless.

All of us feel sad or worthless at various points throughout our lives, but keeping that attitude for extended periods of time means that you could be diagnosed with clinical depression.

And being diagnosed with any type of depression will prevent you from living a truly happy life, but you will just be much less able to do so if you are diagnosed with clinical depression.

Fortunately, getting plenty of sleep is one of the keys to avoiding clinical depression. Sleep deprivation will only accelerate the clinical depression in you if it hasn’t already.

Things that could, in turn, accelerate your sleep deprivation include medical problems, stress, limited physical exercise, work, or staying up late and waking up early.

As you see a general decline in your fitness level, you’ll also see a general increase in your sleep deprivation, and thus a general increase in your clinical depression as well.

Get active, get plenty of exercises, go to bed early, and do whatever you can to get the stress out of your life.

Insomnia

Insomnia is the condition of having the ability to fall asleep and maintain sleep. In other words, it is a form of sleep deprivation.

But what’s unique about insomnia is that it falls right in line with depression and similar mental disorders. Scientific discoveries and tests have found a very strong correlation between insomnia and depression.

Nearly half of all people who suffer or have suffered from depression also suffered from insomnia.

Having insomnia could mean that you don’t sleep enough, are challenged to actually fall asleep, wake up repeatedly throughout the night, or can’t get back to sleep after you wake up, despite any techniques or strategies that you use.

If you feel depressed, you might feel sad beyond relief, hopeless, and/or racked with guilt.

These are the exact same thoughts and manners that can inhabit our minds and prevent us from falling asleep.

This is the primary reason why there is such a strong correlation between insomnia and depression, and chances are if you are suffering from insomnia, you are suffering from at least some level of depression as well.

Treatment

It all depends on how critical your depression is to determine if it can or can’t be treated.

Antidepressants can only do so much, and if you continue to be sleep deprived, they really won’t be able to help at all and the side effects will soon set in.

There are other treatments available, such as psychotherapy and other forms of therapy, but you should talk to your doctor or a medical professional who specializes in the field of depression or sleep disorder, before moving forward with a new treatment.

Your doctor should prescribe you with a more structured method for treating your depression.

Fortunately, studies have shown that roughly sixty percent of all sleep deprived, depressed people who use advanced treatments instructed to them by their doctor to see varying degrees of improvement in their symptoms.

There is much more that could be discussed about depression, but much of what has to do with depression simultaneously have little to no similarities with sleep deprivation.

As long as we discuss the correlation between depression and sleep deprivation, however, it is vitally important to remember that if you do not get enough sleep, then the chances of you becoming depressed with skyrocket.

Get plenty of exercises and work out, rest or do something calm before going to bed, don’t drink alcohol or caffeine before you go to sleep, and do whatever you can to get the stress out of your life. Stress alone is a major cause of depression even without sleep deprivation.

But if you apply what you have learned here, then you can embark on your mission to becoming less sleep deprived and getting the depression out of you. And in the long run, you’ll live a much happier life as well.

Sleep deprivation is a condition that affects tens of millions of people in the United States today.

People who only get four to six hours of sleep a night (or, gulp, less!) compared to people who get the typical seven to nine hours can suffer consequences that they never could have dreamed of (literally).

If you have been falling behind on sleep, you may suspect yourself of being sleep deprived, but the truth is there is no way for you to fully know (at least on your own) without first realizing what the symptoms are:

Symptom #1 – Feeling Sleepy and Fatigue

This may seem obvious, but it’s also true. The most common and perhaps the most noticeable symptom of being deprived of enough sleep is feeling sleepy.

Throughout the day, you’ll feel a strong urge to fall asleep, and if you persist without getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night, it can eventually lead to fatigue.

Fatigue is condition of feeling exhaustion and discomfort in your muscles and body as a result of sleep deprivation.

Feeling sleepy is without a doubt the number one symptom of sleep deprivation, and if it gets to the point that you are feeling fatigued, you definitely will know what you are sleep deprived.

Symptom #2 – Mood Swings

The sad reality is that not only do we feel excessively tired when we are sleep deprived, but we can have a greater tendency to feel angry and take it out on others a well.

Typically, a good night’s sleep will put you in a great mood as you start out the day, but tossing and turning all night makes no guarantee of having a positive mood throughout the day (to say the least).

Eventually, as your mood swings become more constant, you could eventually shift from having an increasingly negative attitude to displaying signs of anxiety and depression.

Many of the symptoms of depression have to do with not getting enough sleep, as do anxiety.

Getting enough sleep is extremely important, not just for our physical health but for our mental as well.

Symptom #3 – Slowed Reaction Time

Not getting enough sleep means that you reaction time to nearly anything will be slowed and it will much more difficult for you to focus on your surroundings.

This will most greatly affect our ability to drive on the road and our performance at work, and can lead to silly accidents that were entirely due to our decreased alertness.

What’s more is that the well being and even the lives of the other people around you can be affected by this as well.

Study after study has shown a strong correlation between sleep deprivation and decreased work performance.

Even if you don’t get enough sleep for just one night, it can affect your overall performance and reaction times for that entire week.

Many infamous man-made disasters have been thought to be due to a lack of sleep by those involved (although there were other factors involved to, of course).

The unfortunate thing is that you might not even know that your reaction time has been slowed or impaired.

Scientific studies have shown that it is heavily unlikely for a person to adapt to their sleep deprivation.

So once your sleep deprivation does impair your reaction time, you might not even realize it, and furthermore, you might believe that it is normal.

Symptom #4 – Disorientations and Illusions

This symptom is the next step following having a slowed reaction time. The more and more you go without sleep, and the more and more your reaction time your ability to focus on your surroundings is impaired, you’ll begin to experience some much more serious symptoms such as feeling immensely disoriented and on extreme occasions, having illusions.

What’s the difference between feeling disoriented and experiencing illusions? If you feel disoriented, it means that you won’t be able to keep as good of track of time (ex. “is it April 14 or 15…”), and you may become confused about the location you are in.

Illusions are even more extreme, and in the case of sleep deprivation, they are referred to as hallucinations.

With hallucinations, you’ll think you see something in front of you when in reality it isn’t there.

Scientific studies have shown that an overwhelming majority of people who suffer from sleep deprivation too long will eventually hallucinate one time or another, but only if they go for weeks without good, quality sleep.

Once you start feeling immensely disoriented and see illusions that aren’t really there, you’ll begin to convince yourself that things or occurrences exist that really don’t.

For example, you might think that your boss is trying to get you fired, even if your boss isn’t. Sleep deprivation is dangerous in this way, in that your thoughts may not be fully grounded in reality.

There are many more symptoms of sleep deprivation, but this is just a short list and explanation of the most important ones.

In extreme cases, these symptoms can ultimately lead to death. You’ll definitely feel daytime sleepiness and have mood swings and feel anxious and stressed out at the very least.

This will impair your ability to check your surroundings or to concentrate on one task at hand, affecting your safety on the road (and the safety of others), as well as your work performance.

If the sleep deprivation continues, it will greatly impact the decisions you make as you gradually feel more and more fatigued, and in some cases even pain.

Your entire life will essentially be impacted by how well you sleep. Many people think that they can get by with just four hours of sleep a night in order to spend more time on other things, but the reality is that the consequences will already start to develop in the symptoms.

That’s why it is important that you take action if the symptoms start to develop in you.

Most of us don’t feel good after a night of little sleep. We especially won’t feel good if we get multiple nights of little sleep. This article will talk about the effects that extreme sleep deprivation can have on us.

Accidents

Accidents can result if we are sleep deprived. Of course, these accidents are in no way intentional, but our senses, reaction times, and energy are drastically lowered when we haven’t been getting enough sleep.

In this sense, sleep deprivation can be a safety hazard to the general public. It estimated that fatigue and sleep deprivation are the primary reasons behind tens of thousands of auto crashes every year.

Not only can sleep deprivation lead to accidents on the road, but they can also lead to accidents at work as well. Many mistakes can be made by us if we are feeling tired, which could potentially lead to injuries and repeated accidents.

Critical Thinking

We use critical thinking nearly every day at work. Having more sleep sharpens are critical thinking since we are well rested and attentive.

But feeling fatigued and being deprived of sleep has exactly the opposite effect. You may also have impaired memory and be unable to remember everything the previous day, which could have drastic effects on your learning ability for the next day.

If you want to keep your mind sharp, then you should get plenty of rest and sleep.  Not only will your critical thinking be impaired, but your judgment might as well.

When you can’t interpret events very well because of impaired memory of the previous day, you won’t be able to react to a situation as you should.

People who suffer from sleep deprivation are much more prone to make poor judgments, and resulting decisions they make can sometimes not only affect them but the people around them as well.

If you think that you are acting just fine with less sleep, then you’re probably wrong.

Something else that can go wrong here is when people adapt to their sleep deprivation, or they get used to getting four or five hours of sleep each night instead of the more typical seven or eight.

As a result, they may think that they are acting fine and making the right judgments and decisions, but the reverse may be true.

This is why we can’t just assume that we aren’t sleeping impaired if we’ve adapted to getting less and less hours of sleep each night.

Health

Sleep deprivation will, sooner or later, lead to some health problems of varying degrees of seriousness.

If you are suffering from sleep deprivation, you are definitely at risk for various heart diseases, higher levels of blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis or stroke.

Scientific studies conducted have also shown that an overwhelming majority of people who suffer from sleep deprivation will have at least one other health condition as well.

Stress and Depression

It’s a well known scientific fact that people who suffer from sleep deprivation are far more likely to encounter high levels of stress and symptoms of depression as well.

People with sleep deprivation, especially those who can barely get a few hours of sleep each night, are many times more likely to develop depression than people who don’t suffer from sleep deprivation.

Ultimately, sleep deprivation and depression work together, as each one helps the other: the less sleep you get the more depressed you will feel, and the more depressed you feel the less sleep you will be able to get.

Age

The reality is that you will age quicker if you suffer from sleep deprivation. No, you won’t become old and wrinkly in just a few years time, but your body will age quicker than the bodies of other people.

This is because that when someone suffers from sleep deprivation, the body will release less and less of human growth hormones, which strengthen our muscles, skin, and bones.

Most of these human growth hormones are released while we sleep. Without the human growth hormones, it’s much easier to age.

You’ll start to notice dark circles under your eyes, graying hair, and less fine skin.  You may also feel weaker and less energized as well.

Weight

A strong correlation has been found between gaining weight and sleep deprivation.  The more we sleep the more weight our body loses.

But a lack of sleep will lead to an increased appetite, which in turn will lead to an increased weight.

People who sleep only between four to six hours a day are far more likely to gain a lot of weight or possibly even become obese than people who get a good amount of seven to nine hours of sleep.

Plain and simple, getting plenty of sleep will help you to lose weight (think of getting sleep as a makeshift weight loss program), but conversely not having enough sleep will cause you to gain weight.

What’s worse is that not having enough sleep doesn’t just increase your appetite for food…it specifically increases your appetite for foods that are high in fat and high in carbs.

If you are currently on a diet, not having enough sleep can impede that, and your entire diet could backfire on you.

Greater Risk of Death

Yes, ultimately suffering from sleep deprivation will mean that you’ll have a greater risk of death.

When you don’t get enough sleep each night, your health problems will gradually worsen.

The primary health problem that will arise will be with your heart, and suffering from sleep deprivation means that your risk of developing a form of heart disease can more than double.

As you can see, getting enough sleep is vitally important.

The risks of just gutting back a few hours on sleep each night far outweigh any possible benefits that you may find, so it’s extremely important that you do get a good night’s sleep in order to avoid these risks.

According to medical experts, there are two types of sleeping sickness, referred to in the medical community as African trypanosomiasis.

Each one of them is named for the region in Africa where it is found- East African trypanosomiasis and West African trypanosomiasis. The disease is transmitted by the tsetse fly.

This is a fairly common condition, in that approximately 25,000 cases of both East African and West African sleeping sickness are reported each year to the World Health Organization.

Of course, those are the reported cases- there are still many cases that are never reported due to the lack of infrastructure. Therefore, the true number of new cases each year is most likely much higher than that.

However, if you live in the United States, you can pretty much rest easy because only 36 cases of East African sleeping sickness have been reported since the year 1967.

How Does Sleeping Sickness Spread?

When an individual is bitten by a tsetse fly that is infected by a parasite known as Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, they will contract the condition known as East African sleeping sickness or West African sleeping sickness- depending on where they are when they are bitten.

Tsetse flies are common only to Africa. In very rare instances, a pregnant woman can pass the condition to her baby, or individuals contract the condition through an organ transplant or blood transfusion.

Is Sleeping Sickness a Serious Condition?

If not treated for East African sleeping sickness, death is mostly likely to occur within several weeks to several months. In addition, if not treated, West African sleeping sickness is also fatal.

Where Can Sleeping Sickness be Contracted?

Of course, as already mentioned, sleeping sickness is transmitted through the bite of the tsetse fly, which is common to Africa.

However, more specifically, the condition of East African sleeping sickness is found in areas of Central and Eastern Africa.

On the other hand, the condition of West African sleeping sickness is found in areas of Central and Western Africa.

Signs and Symptoms of Sleeping Sickness

The signs and symptoms of East African sleeping sickness are:

• Chancre (red sore)
• Severe headaches
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Aching muscles
• Aching joints

In addition to the above, some individuals with the condition of East African sleeping sickness will develop a rash.

The progressive signs and symptoms of the condition of East African sleeping sickness are:

• Changes in personality
• Confusion
• Difficulty walking
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty talking
• Seizures

The above progressive symptoms occur once the infection has reached the central nervous system. If treatment has not commenced right away, the infection will worsen and death can be expected within a few weeks to a few months.

The signs and symptoms of West African sleeping sickness are as follows:

• Chancre
• Rash
• Swelling around eyes
• Swelling of hands
• Fever
• Extreme fatigue
• Severe headaches
• Aching muscles
• Aching joints
• Weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes

Progressive signs and symptoms of the condition of West African sleeping sickness are as follows:

• Irritability
• Slurred speech
• Changes in personality
• Confusion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty walking
• Seizures

Another very common symptom of this condition is sleeping for long periods of time during the day and then suffering from insomnia at night. If not treated properly, death can be expected within a few months to a few years after the condition is contracted.

When Do Symptoms Manifest?

The signs and symptoms of East African sleeping sickness will most likely manifest between 1-4 weeks of contracting the condition.

On the other hand, it may take months to even years for the signs and symptoms of West African sleeping sickness to manifest.

What to Do if You Suspect You Have Sleeping Sickness

If you believe that you may have contracted sleeping sickness, you should immediately get in touch with your physician.

You must tell him or her which type of sleeping sickness you believe you have contracted. He or she will then order several tests to check for the parasite.

Some of the most common tests for sleeping sickness include the following:

• Spinal tap
• Skin biopsy
• Blood samples
• Lymph node fluids

Treating Sleeping Sickness

Of course, as already mentioned, if left untreated, both conditions will result in death. Therefore, medical treatment for the condition of East African sleeping sickness should begin as soon as possible based upon the signs and symptoms as well as the lab results.

Medications are available through the CDC and hospitalization will be necessary. Periodic follow-up exams including a spinal tap will be necessary for a period of two years.

Medication for treating West African sleeping sickness is also available. This also requires hospitalization and treatment will be based upon lab results and the individual’s signs and symptoms. You will be required to have follow-up visits, including spinal taps, for a period of two years.

Who is at Risk?

The condition of East African sleeping sickness is most often found in savannah and woodland areas away from the general human population.

Individuals such as those working or visiting in a game park, hunters, tourists, or game wardens are at an increased risk for contracting this form of sleeping sickness.

On the other hand, the condition of West African sleeping sickness is most often found in areas of thick vegetation near watering holes and rivers.

The risk of infection with this condition increases each time an individual is bitten. Therefore, it is believed that the tourists are not really at risk for contracting this condition unless they are in the area for long periods of time.

Tips for Preventing Contraction of Sleeping Sickness

While there is not a vaccine or medication you can take to prevent contracting the condition of sleeping sickness, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.

• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect yourself. Make sure that they are made from a thick material, as the tsetse fly can bite through clothing.
• Avoid very bright or very dark clothing, instead choosing khaki or olive colored clothing.
• Be sure to use an insect repellant- though they are not necessarily effective at keeping the tsetse flies away, they do keep other insects from biting you.
• Use bed netting at night.
• Check your vehicle before getting in.
• Never ride in open vehicles, as the flies are attracted to the dust created by moving objects.
• Stay away from bushes- tsetse flies are usually dormant during the day, but will bite if you disturb them.

If you are not sleeping well at night, you are suffering. Many research studies have been conducted concerning those who lack the necessary eight hours of sleep each night.

Those studies show reduced attention spans, poorer concentration, and a number of other consequences associated with sleeping less than eight hours each night.

For children who aren’t sleeping well, the effects can carry over into school and grades, as well as destructive behaviors. People who are overweight or obese have even more problems when they’re not getting the proper amount of rest.

There are so many reasons that you might not be getting the recommended amount of sleep at night. Some people report back pain to be a common complaint that prevents them from sleeping well.

For others, work overloads and other duties interfere with that decadent period of rest. Even still others are sleeping on a bed or mattress that is worn out.

All of these things can certainly have an impact on your sleep, and the quality of that sleep. But sometimes, the problem is far from being as simple as these issues. Sometimes it is a medical problem that is causing your lack of sleep. The problem is, you might not even realize it is a problem.

Medical Problems Affecting your Sleep

As mentioned, a number of different health problems could be impacting your sleep habits. Yes, back pain can cause you to get less sleep that you need, however, it is actually the underlying problem that causes the most concern.

Issues such as being overweight, the common cold, and even depression and anxiety can cause an individual to have concern. But there is one condition that is responsible for more problems with sleep than any other, and it is a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.

Around 23% of the US population is affected by obstructive sleep apnea. Sadly, many of those patients do not even realize they are affected.

They are experiencing all of the side effects of sleep apnea, yet ignoring them or attributing them to other problems. There are certainly a number of symptoms brought on by sleep apnea that resemble other concerns.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a condition that can affect children as well as adults.It can affect men and women as well as boys and girls. It is characterized by a breathing pattern that stops during periods of rest.

Most people with the condition experience these episodes of irregular breathing at least five times per hour as they sleep. The problem is very serious, but most patients are unaware that it is even existent until a partner or child tells them.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Many Obstructive Sleep Apnea symptoms are present in individuals that are affected with the condition. By taking heed and note of these symptoms you can get the needed treatment quickly and begin to make improvements to get your sleep back on track.

If you, or your partner, notice any of the symptoms below, it is important to consult with your doctor as soon as possible.

The doctor can make a referral to a specialist if need be, where a test for sleep apnea can be performed overnight inside of the hospital. Symptoms of sleep apnea that you should look for include:

• Insomnia
• Tossing and turning during sleep
• Periods of not breathing
• Loud, excessive snoring
• Choking at night
• Leg swelling
• Waking up feeling tired or unrested
• Getting up at night to go to the bathroom
• Headaches in the early morning or late at night before bed
• Problems with memory and concentration

Children can experience the symptoms above, but may also experience symptoms such as wetting the bed, slow growth, poor grades in school, trouble concentrating during the day and a shorter attention span. In rare cases, developmental delays can also result in relation to obstructive sleep apnea.

What to do About your Symptoms

Some of the symptoms listed above are things that you will notice each day. Others are things that those closest to you will notice and probably mention to you.

The first step is to recognize that there is something wrong, and then to get help from a medical doctor as soon as possible.

The doctor can evaluate your symptoms, and, if necessary, make a referral to a specialist who has the in-depth knowledge to help you.

The specialist will perform a test inside of a hospital overnight. This test will evaluate your sleep patterns, and whether or not you are suffering with this condition.

Prevention & Treatment

There are a number of things that an individual can do to help prevent obstructive sleep apnea. Of course prevention is ideal. Some of the things that you can do to deter obstructive sleep apnea from your life:

• Don’t take a sleeping pill before bed.
• Avoid drinking alcohol at night and before bed.
• Exercise on a regular basis. Even if you do not want to lose weight, exercise keeps your body active and your heart pumping.
• Eat sensibly. Your diet should include an array of fresh fruits and vegetables. The more colorful your plate, the better it is for you. In addition to eating the right foods, make sure that you are also eating the right portions of foods.
• If you are a smoker, stop as soon as possible. We all know the many dangers of smoking. Sleep apnea is one of those, as smoking relaxes the airway muscles.

For most people it is the removal of the tonsil and adenoids that provides the most success against obstructive sleep apnea.

The doctor will determine the appropriate line of treatment once hospital testing has been conducted and an API index score has been given. Scores that are 5 or better require immediate attention and treatment.

The prevention methods listed above should also be initiated in the treatment of sleep apnea. Those who are healthy, exercise and eat right are far less likely to be afflicted with the condition.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea around. It is also a very difficult condition for a person to deal with.

Sleep apnea affects an individual’s entire life, as well as their ability to function in the right manner.

Of course anyone that is affected by the condition wants fast, effective treatment, and fortunately, there are many of them available.

Oftentimes it is actually figuring out that sleep apnea is the culprit is the most difficult part of the entire equation.

A Look at Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A few important facts about obstructive sleep apnea:

– Obstructive sleep apnea affects millions of people in the US. It is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions in the world, and many of those sufferers are unaware they are affected.

– Both children and adults can be affected by obstructive sleep apnea. It is very common in children ages 6 to 12.

– Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea vary in children and adults. Children with the condition oftentimes experience bedwetting, trouble concentrating and behavior problems while adults experience symptoms ranging from irritability to depression.

– Long-term consequences of sleep apnea are also of concern. Research has shown that individuals affected by obstructive sleep apnea are also at a greater risk for stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and a number of other conditions.

– Children and adults who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea causes the individual to stop breathing at various intervals through the night. For those with severe obstructive sleep apnea, those episodes can occur as frequently as 5 to 10 times per hour.

Other people will have the period where they stop breathing at least one time in a period of eight hours of sleep.

So many people have obstructive sleep apnea and do not realize their airways are being restricted and that they are suffering with any problem.

For this reason it is imperative that you are looking for the signs and symptoms of the condition in order to talk to the doctor and get the right help and the right treatment.

The Right Treatment

If you suspect that sleep apnea is bothering you, speaking to the doctor at once is critical. Only the doctor can diagnose sleep apnea, and this is usually done only after a sleep study have been conducted.

Treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea vary according to the severity of the condition. In almost all cases, lifestyle changes will be recommended to be made by the doctor.

If you are not living the healthiest lifestyle, this certainly can cause more problems in relation to obstructive sleep apnea.

Lifestyle changes include adding more physical activity to your life, eating a better diet and eating better portions of food.

You should aim for no less than 30 minutes of exercise of physical activity each day. Doing this will improve the airways and free the flow of air so obstruction is less likely to occur at night.

It will also help you feel better and increase the amount of energy that you have. When you make changes to the diet, you are also helping your body to be more powerful against obstructive sleep apnea.

Your diet should include plenty of lean meats and fresh fruits and vegetables. Chicken and fish are good sources of meat, and there is a variety of fruits and vegetables that can be enjoyed.

Look for fresh, in season fruits and vegetables, and remember to keep your plate as colorful as you possibly can.

Medical Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

There are a number of treatments that your medical professional can offer in addition to the lifestyle changes.

The doctor will make the decision of treating your condition based upon your symptoms as well as the severity of the condition.

Removal of the tonsils is usually one of the first treatment choices the doctor will consider. For most patients, particularly children, it is highly beneficial in eliminating the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

There are medical appliances that can be used to help improve the quality of life when sleep apnea is present.

These appliances include palates for the mouth, and are typically used for those who are affected by medical problems.

The help of a specialist should be sought if you are bothered by sleep apnea. Your general doctor can make the referral to a doctor who specializes in Ear, Nose and Throat treatment. He is the best source of information and help for sleep apnea.

The specialist will perform what is known as a polysomnograpy to determine if sleep apnea is present. This tool can diagnose the condition, as well as determine the severity that you are suffering.

To complete this, an overnight stay inside of a medical sleep facility is required. This stay will monitor your sleep while you are there.

Once the night is over, an Apnea sleep index score will be given.  There currently are no formal guidelines to follow in terms of the  treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, but most specialists recommend that people with a score of 5 or greater be treated as quickly as possible.

When the number is between 5 and 10, or more than 10 if the child is younger than 12 years old, treatment for the condition should be started as soon as possible.

Positive airway inclusion is another option that is available for treatment. This can be done before or after the removal of the tonsils, but in most cases it is used only when that option did not provide the results hoped for.

Get Help Quickly

The bottom line is clear: Sleep Apnea is a serious condition, and it is affecting many people.

If you are not thriving in your life, or have a child that is experiencing problems, do not cross obstructive sleep apnea off of the list of possible causes. It is a condition that is easily treatable once it has been diagnosed.

Most people fail to obtain the recommend amount of sleep each night and while we try to make up for the zzz’s that we miss on the weekends and at other times, it is not quite the same.

It is recommended that adults obtain 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Many adults report sleeping 7 or fewer hours per night.

This lack of sleep can lead to a number of problems. When severe sleep deprivation develops, the consequences can be even more devastating.

What is Sleep Deprivation?

Sleep deprivation is the act of depriving yourself of the needed sleep each night. Most people are not intentionally doing this, however, with busy lifestyles, anxiety, insomnia, and other issues affecting them, it happens.

Although some people fail to get the necessary amount of sleep per night every now and again, for some people it is a way of life. They get fewer than 7 hours of sleep on a regular basis.

Anyone can suffer from sleep deprivation if they’re not getting enough shut eye each night. Men and women of all ages are affected, but it is typically a concern brought on with anxiety or with age.

Although many people think that a lack of sleep causes only temporary issues such as irritability and grogginess, the troubles of sleep deprivation go much further than this.

Let’s look at the symptoms of sleep deprivation a bit deeper so you can fully understand the consequences a lack of sleep is causing to your body.

Sleep Deprivation Symptoms

As mentioned, irritability and grogginess are two of the most common symptoms that sleep deprivation brings with it.

When you are tired, you’re just not yourself. Every little thing seems to aggravate you and a short temper (until you’ve rested better) is oftentimes noted.

Thanks to the grogginess that you feel you might not want to get out of the bed and if you do, you sure do not want to do anything even close to physical activity. More serious issues may also result with a lack of sleep as well.

Some of these consequences may already be well-known or they might actually come as a surprise to you. Either way it is important that you understand the symptoms of sleep deprivation fully.

Increased Accident Risk

According to numerous studies, sleep deprivation is responsible for an increased number of accidents because it can mimic the symptoms of driving drunk.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 100,000 accidents each year that are caused, in part, by sleep deprivation.

Accidents at work are also more common when an individual lacks sleep.

Decreased Sex Drive

This is another big reason to get more sleep: if you don’t, you may suffer from a loss of libido, which also decreases your sex drive and desire.

This affects you as well as your partner and may be devastating to your relationship and your mentality!

Loss of Intelligence

Sleep is vital for regular functioning in your life. When you haven’t obtained the needed rest each night, your cognitive process is harmed and you are less apt to give smart answers to questions and may have trouble concentrating or paying attention.

In addition, lack of sleep also affects your ability to reason and your problem solving skills.

Health Problems

Many studies show relationships to many health problems when you are not sleeping enough at night. Reported increased risks of the following conditions have been noted:

• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Irregular Heartbeat
• Heart Failure
• Heart Attack
• Diabetes

It is also important to note that patients who suffer from insomnia often also suffer from another health related condition, such as one listed above.

Individuals who are not getting enough sleep each night are also at an increased risk of developing a mental health disorder, such as depression.

A study conducted in 2005 found that people who sleep six hours or less each night are more likely to also suffer from depression and/ or anxiety.

Oftentimes these conditions need medical intervention to overcome, but prevention is the best cure.

Getting more sleep each night is one awesome way to help minimize your risk for developing this condition.

Skin Aging

You want your looks to match your age but if you are not sleeping enough each night, your skin may age more quickly than normal and you may find that you look older than you should.

Puffy eyes, dark circles under the eyes and sallow skin are all signs of sleep deprivation.

It doesn’t take weeks or months for these signs of aging to show, either. Just a few nights without proper sleep and your skin is suffering.

Weight Gain

Many people struggle with their weight and they certainly don’t want to do anything to add on any extra pounds.

So, if you want to lose weight or even maintain your current weight, you’ll need to ensure that you are getting the needed amount of sleep each night because this may very well cause you to pack on the pounds.

According to a 2004 study, individuals that get less than 6 hours of sleep each night are 30% more likely to suffer from weight gain and/ or obesity. The cause?

You’re likely to eat more if you are tired due to an increase in the peptides that regulate the appetite.

Final Thoughts

If you are not getting 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night it is time to start looking for ways to improve your sleep habits.

Without the proper amount of sleep each night, your body suffers greatly and any of the above symptoms may interfere with your livelihood. Do not take any chances and sleep soundly each night.

The activities you have planned in your life are so very important without question, but it is even more important that you are the best you. This starts with getting the right amount of rest each night.

Reference:

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/10-results-sleep-loss

http://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body