Sleep plays a major role in your physical and mental health. During sleep, your body repairs itself and performs some important biological functions. In simple words, sleep is like a recharge to your whole body that helps you to get refreshed after you wake up. Various factors, including lifestyle, diseases, and food can affect sleep. Here let’s get into detail about one of the major sleep disorders “Sleep deprivation and sleep deprivation stages”
Do you know the exact meaning of sleep deprivation? Sleep deprivation occurs if you get less sleep, no sleep, or reduced quality of sleep. Adults should get a minimum of 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. If you don’t get a minimum amount of sleep, you might feel grumpy which negatively impacts your energy levels, and lead to several health issues.
Sleep deprivation is classified into 5 stages of not sleeping. It is mainly determined by how many hours of sleep you’ve missed. Here’s what happens if you miss sleep-
Staying awake for 24 hours won’t cause any major health problems, but you may feel tired, and it might affect your ability to perform everyday tasks. Many start to experience the effects of sleep deprivation after 24 hours. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 24 hours without sleep is equal to having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.10%, which is higher than the limit to drive.
24 hours of sleep deprivation symptoms
The deprivation symptoms become more intense after 36 hours of lack of sleep. You will experience microsleeps (falling unexpectedly for a period of 30 seconds to 1 minute) or brief periods of sleep, and an overwhelming urge to sleep.
36 hours of sleep deprivation symptoms
Stage 3: After 48 Hours
After 48 hours of sleep deprivation is known as extreme sleep deprivation. In stage 3, you find it harder to stay awake. During this stage, many will experience an overwhelming and irresistible urge to sleep. You will be experiencing hallucinations, extreme mood swings, anxiety, stress, and severe exhaustion.
48 hours of sleep deprivation symptoms
After 72 hours or days without sleep will intensify your urge to sleep. You may experience many microsleeps and severe hallucinations. In a study, two astronauts experienced increased heart rates, impaired cognitive performance, and negative emotions after staying awake for 27 hours of sleep.
96 hours or 4 days of sleeplessness can make your urge for sleep unbearable. During this stage, you can’t even function at your normal level. You can’t even do basic things like spell, read, and talk. There is a higher chance of having accidents while performing even the simplest tasks.
Usually, sleep deprivation goes away once you get enough sleep. But, if you are suffering from severe sleep deprivation, consult a doctor immediately.
Conclusion: Recognizing the symptoms of sleep deprivation and taking proactive steps to address them is crucial for overall well-being. By prioritizing healthy sleep habits and seeking effective treatments, you can improve sleep quality, boost energy levels, enhance cognitive function, and promote a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
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