Sleep Deprivation: Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis

The amount of sleep each needs will depend greatly on their age:
 
• Newborn 0 – 3 months of age is recommended to get 14 to 17 hours of sleep per day.
• Infant 4 – 12 months of age is recommended to get 12 to 16 hours of sleep per day.
• Toddlers 1 – 2 years of age are recommended to get 11 to 14 hours of sleep per day.
• Preschool 3 – 5 years of age are recommended to get 10 to 13 hours of sleep per day.
• School-aged 6 – 12 years of age is recommended to get 9 – 12 hours of sleep per day.
• Teen 13 to 18 years of age is recommended to get 8 – 10 hours of sleep per day.
• Adults 18 – 60 years of age are recommended to get 7 or more hours of sleep per day.
• Adults 61 – 64 years of age are recommended to get 7 – 9 hours of sleep per day.
• Adults 65 years and older are recommended to get 7 – 8 hours of sleep per day.
 
The amount of sleep each individual receives each day is quite important, as sleep contributes to your overall health and well-being. Good quality sleep is essential to a much healthier life.
 
If you are not getting good quality sleep, there are signs that you may begin to notice such as not feeling well-rested after sleeping, repeatedly waking up during the night (this happens a lot with new parents or parents that are potty training), and experiencing symptoms of sleep disorders. Improving your quality of sleep can help, but if you are noticing these signs, it is best to speak to a physician in case a diagnosis is needed.

Sleep deprivation is an individual getting a certain amount of sleep in a total of 24 hours. For adults, the average sleep ranges from 7 to 9 hours of sleep per 24-hour period, and in children or teens, it’s longer. Anything less than that time of restful sleep can be considered sleep deprivation.
 
There are different types of sleep deprivation, you may be put into a particular category for sleep deprivation which could be:
 
• Acute sleep deprivation
Acute sleep deprivation is when a short period, normally a few days or less is when the person has a significant reduction in their sleep schedule.
 
• Chronic sleep deprivation
Chronic sleep syndrome is when sleep is reduced and persists for three months or longer.
 
• Chronic sleep deficiency/insufficient sleep
Chronic sleep deficiency is described as ongoing sleep deprivation which is poor sleep that occurs due to sleep disruptions.
 
Sleep deprivation symptoms can be different for everyone, you may show all of these or only a few of these symptoms which include:
 
• Slow thinking
• Condensed attention span
• Memory becomes worse
• Poor decision-making
• Little to no energy
• Mood changes which may include stress, anxiety, or being quite irritable

Several possible effects can occur to the human body if you do not get enough sleep, particularly if you do not get enough sleep over a large range of time, some of these effects include:
 
• Reduced brain Functionality
• Mood Imbalance
• Higher Anxiety Level
• Risk of Increase Heart Disease
• Weight Gain
• Risk of Diabetes
• Weekend Immunity
• Poor Coordination

Talk to your primary care physician if you think you may be suffering from sleep deprivation, particularly if you are dealing with the following:
 
• Snoring
• Gasping for air while you are sleeping
• Having a hard time falling asleep
• Having a difficult time staying asleep throughout the night
• Feeling exhausted during the day after a night’s sleep
• Can’t seem to perform daily activities due to feeling tired
 
Come to Dr. Pedro Ylisastigui, MD! Our physician is experienced and can help you to be in good health! We are conveniently located at 1150 Lee Blvd. #4 Lehigh Acres, FL 33936. We look forward to serving you! We serve patients from Lehigh Acres FL, Fort Myers FL, Buckingham FL, Cypress Lake FL, Gateway FL, Cape Coral FL, Palmona Park FL, and Alva FL.