Sleep Deprivation Is Common Ailment Term Paper

Total Length: 861 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: -4

Page 1 of 3

.. drastically affects the body's ability to metabolize glucose, leading to symptoms that mimic early-stage diabetes." (Sleep Deprivation Symptoms) This effect on the normal functioning of the body can lead to reduced concentration and even to radical and uncharacteristic mood swings. For instance The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) has suggested that many social problems, such as road rage, may be caused, in part, by a sleep deprivation. (Sleep Deprivation Symptoms)

Another factor that causes sleep deprivation is underlying physical as well as mental health issues. People suffering for depression and forms of post -traumatic stress disorder can suffer from insomnia which can lead to a pattern of sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation affects the frontal cortex to the brain which ensures normal health sleep functioning. This area of the brain also controls speech and types of memory, as well as problem solving tasks. It therefore becomes obvious that long periods of sleep deprivation will have a detrimental effect on essential functions such as speech and memory. (Sleep Deprivation Symptoms)

Even from the few examples of the causes and effects of sleep deprivation presented in this paper it is obvious that normal sleep is an essential component of heath and well-being. In general, research shows that sleep is essential for the normal functioning of the brain in many critical respects.
Sleep deprivation in effect causes the neurons in the brain to malfunction. This has a consequent negative effect on the individual's reactions and normal functioning. Sleep is a complex and necessary function and the disturbance of certain stages of normal sleep can affect the regeneration of these neurons within the cerebral cortex. This can also have the affect to impeding the brains ability to create new memories. (Ledoux S. 2002)

In the final analysis there is no doubt the normal sleep is a vital aspect in maintaining a healthy body and mind. The various consequences of sleep deprivation show how prolonged loss of sleep can result not only in the impairment of mental functioning but also effects the physiological ability of the body to function correctly and to fight disease. Sleep deprivation is becoming a serious threat to health in our contemporary society where there is increasing stress and pressure on the individual.

Bibliography

Andreassi, John L. Psychophysiology: Human Behavior and Physiological Response. 4th ed. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2000.

Field, Tiffany M., Philip M. McCabe, and Neil Schneiderman, eds. Stress and Coping. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1985.

Ledoux S. 2002. Accessed October 17, 2005. http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro01/web3/Ledoux.html

Sleep Deprivation Symptoms. 2005. Accessed October 17, 2005, http://www.sleep-deprivation.com.....

Need Help Writing Your Essay?