Sleep Deprivation: Causes, Effects and Treatment - Essay Example

"Sleep Deprivation: Causes, Effects, and Treatment" is an engrossing example of a paper on neurology. Sleep is one of the most important aspects of normal human life. It is during the process of sleep that the human body is able to revitalize and recharge itself. Scholars assert that human beings could cause their bodies to experience physical, psychological and therefore economic underdevelopment if they do not acquire enough sleep. Lack of sleep causes the human body to push itself to its limits in a bid to meet the pressures that sent its way in one’s day-to-day activities (Kushida, 2005). The lack of sleep, in most cases, comes about due to insomnia. Insomnia, notably only regards lack of sleep that is not intentionally affected. This paper aims to analyses the main effects that come from sleep deprivation. The effects are discussed in respective order of the most important in the categories physical, mental and emotional sense.

The human body design structure is such that after a certain amount of hours it ought to be accorded rest. In the event that rest does not come about, then there are consequences that the body suffers. In the physical sense, the body experiences deprivation of energy. It is during sleep that the body takes up the repairing of blood vessels and any physical strain exerted on the heart. Not allowing oneself enough sleep, therefore, opens them up to a risk of experiencing high blood pressure and possibly even heart failure (Fulke, 2009). In severe cases, the occurrence of stroke and diabetes has been observed. The risk of fatality usually runs higher the more the exposure to sleep deprivation becomes prevalent.

Scientists have found that in the mental sense lack of sleep goes on to cause one to have lower alertness and concentration span. Because of the fact that the attentiveness of the mind is usually lowered by lack of sleep one then becomes easily confused. An individual usually experiences difficulty in performing tasks that are requisite of logical reasoning as well as complex operation (Kushida, 2005). Lack of sleep has also been associated with impairing the ability for judgment. This is because one is unable to analyze situations critically and come to the rightful conclusion. In the same regard, Sleep deprivation could also cause learning difficulties. Other cognitive effects of sleep deprivation are such as anxiety and nervousness.

In the emotional sense, the occurrence of anxiety is the most common effect. Anxiety is somewhat similar to nervousness that is prolonged; it affects the emotional balance of the system. If not handled appropriately or with immediate effect it could develop into depression. Depression is however only common with situations that are very dire. A person that is sleep deprived usually experiences difficulty at keeping their emotions in check. This then translates into their work ethic and relationships. Scholars have found that excessive sleep deprivation affects the ability for one to perform well at work, causes extensive damage to one’s relationship and causes one to have problematic moods like depression and excessive anger (Colten, 2006).

In light of the turmoil that characterizes the economical world of the 21st century, it is quite easy to overlook the importance of sleep. Maimonides Sleep Arts and Sciences Director, Barry Krakow, asserts that sleep allows the body to restore itself on a cellular basis, without which one cannot perform the functions they would wish to mentally, physically and emotionally. Sleep is the reserve upon which the body runs and should not be deprived of else, like any other system, it could shut down.

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