Many of the symptoms of sleep deprivation discussed in the following paragraphs are simply the result of your body not getting sufficient sleep each and every night. Our bodies are incredible machines that give us warning signals or symptoms when they are not being maintained properly. In most cases, getting the right amount of sleep will correct your sleep deprivation symptoms. However, if untreated, they can lead to chronic sleep deprivation health problems.
The particular symptoms and the severity of the symptoms you might experience at any given time are dependent upon the level of sleep deprivation you have experienced and for how long you have been not getting enough sleep.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation:
- Yawning
- Desire to take a nap at any given time throughout the day
- Laziness
- Increased irritability levels
- Lower tolerance levels
- Decreased Alertness
- Minor memory lapses
- Slow or scattered thought processing
- Reduction in endurance
- Reduction in productive accomplishments
- Reduced staying power
- Muscle cramps
- General aches and pains with no apparent cause
- Elevated temperature
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Increased sensitivity to cold or heat
- Change of appetite
- Increased for cravings such as high energy drinks or candy
- Increased feelings of anxiety
- Slower reaction times
- Sudden, unusual state of depression for no apparent reason
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Weight loss
- Muscle spasms
- Nervous hand shaking
- Bags or dark circles under the eyes
- Blood shot eyes
- Hallucinations
- Temper tantrums
- Forgetfulness
- “Senior moments”
- Grouchiness
- Lower libido
- Reduced attention span
- Back ache
- Reduced athletic ability
- Slower running speeds
- Reduced muscular strength capacity
- Hiccuping
The majority of these symptoms can be alleviated upon re-establishing a good night’s sleep and maintaining your rest night to night. Unchecked, symptoms of sleep deprivation can become serious, even life threatening. Many of the more serious problems that can occur if you continue depriving your body of the rest that it needs include obesity, increased risk of diabetes type 2, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), psychosis, increased blood pressure, increased stressed hormone levels, increased risk of fibromyalgia, rapid involuntary rhythmic eye movement (nystagmus), increased risk of heart disease, increased symptoms of bipolar disorder, suppression of growth hormones, suppression of the immune system, suppression of sex hormones resulting in reduce sex drive and/or performance, and ultimately death.
If your symptoms of sleep deprivation have graduated to these more serious issues, it is imperative you seek professional help immediately – DO NOT WAIT! On the other hand if you are one of those who suffer only basic symptoms of sleep deprivation from time to time, then get some good sleep and improve the quality of your life each and every night.
