- Whatever the reason for sleep loss, insomnia can affect people both mentally and physically. The impact can build up over time.
- People with chronic insomnia are more likely than others to develop psychiatric problems, such as depression or an anxiety disorder. Additionally, lack of sleep slows problem-solving skills. Long-term sleep deprivation may be due to conditions such as sleep apnea, which increase the severity of chronic diseases (including high blood pressure and diabetes).
- Insufficient sleep can also lead to serious or even fatal accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 100,000 crashes each year are due to drivers falling asleep at the wheel.
- In a recent study, scientists discovered that youngsters who snore nightly scored significantly lower on vocabulary tests than those who snore less often.
Copyright ‚© 2007 Natural Standard Inc.
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