Different Treatment Options for Sleep Deprivation

Did you know that sleep deprivation is considered an epidemic? Yes, people aren’t getting enough sleep, which means that people are suffering from the consequences that sleep deprivation can cause, like increased stress, extreme fatigue, poor work performance and some studies are showing a causal link between not getting enough sleep and obesity. When it comes down to it, there are a number of reasons why people aren’t getting enough sleep. For instance, stress is a major cause and so are some sleep disorders, like sleep apnea and insomnia. Doctors recommend that individuals get at least eight hours of sleep per night. However, a rising number of people get far less than that amount of sleep per night. Here are some different treatment options for sleep deprivation.

First, doctors will recommend that you make a few lifestyle changes to see if that can help you get more sleep at night. For instance, perhaps you simply need to go to sleep earlier. If you are a social butterfly, it may help to have some discipline and to make rest a serious priority. Also, you should not drink caffeinated beverages right before you go to sleep, because that can keep you up at night. Moreover, doctors also recommend having good bed hygiene – taking off those dirty socks, taking a shower and slipping into clean sheets can make sleep much more comfortable and rejuvenating.

Also, it is important that you set the environment of your bedroom. Many people who have sleep deprivation have the most trouble actually going to sleep. So, you may want to take certain measures, like moving the television out of the bedroom, installing darker blinds for the windows and maybe even sealing your window frames to cancel out the noise. All of these environmental factors can determine whether you fall asleep faster and more deeply, or if you struggle to fall asleep at all. For some people, actually falling asleep can seem impossible, so some drastic measures may be in order.

Next, you may also want to start treating your sleep disorders. There are a plethora of sleep disorders that can make it incredibly difficult to actually fall asleep. For instance, America respiratory services says that sleep apnea is one of the most severe sleep disorders and it can affect millions of people. Moreover, many people have no idea that they even have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes the sufferer to wake up multiple times per night gasping for air, which can cause extreme sleep deprivation. Doctors recommend undergoing CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, to alleviate the symptoms and to get a better night of sleep.

Lastly, when you are sleep deprived, it is also important that you are careful about taking some sleep medications. When it comes down to it, some sleep medications can do much more harm than good. So, you want to evaluate your options with your doctor. Most of the time, though, a combination of adjusting environmental factors, therapy and even medication can really help. At the end of the day, it is incredible how refreshing and life changing a full night of deep sleep can be.