Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Sleep deprivation: Know the risks

Sleep deprivation is common, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous. Find out how a lack of sleep can affect your mind, weight and immune system.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Sleep deprivation is more harmful that you might realize. Understand the possible consequences of sleep deprivation and what you can do about it.

What is sleep deprivation?

Sleep deprivation occurs when you don't get enough sleep to feel alert and well rested. While the amount of sleep a person needs varies a little, most adults need about seven to eight hours of sleep every night.

Sleep deprivation can occur if you don't get enough total hours of sleep or as a result of poor quality sleep. Common causes of sleep deprivation include work hours, medical conditions, stress and personal obligations, such as caring for a baby or a sick loved one.

Next page
(1 of 2)
References
  1. Pressman MR. Definition and consequences of sleep deprivation. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Aug. 6, 2013.
  2. Vgontzas AN, et al. Insomnia with short sleep duration and mortality: The Penn State cohort. Sleep. 2010;33:1159.
  3. Brondel L, et al. Acute partial sleep deprivation increases food intake in healthy men. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2010;91:1550.
  4. Sleep deprivation. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. http://www.aasmnet.org/Resources/FactSheets/SleepDeprivation.pdf. Accessed Aug. 2, 2013.
  5. Hogenkamp PS, et al. Acute sleep deprivation increases portion size and affects food choice in young men. Psychoneuroendocrinology. In press. Accessed Aug. 2, 2013.
  6. Bonnie RJ, et al. Performance and safety risks of sleep deprivation and sleep disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Aug. 6, 2013.
  7. Banks S, et al. Behavioral and physiological consequences of sleep restriction. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2007;3:519.
  8. Ferrie JE, et al. A prospective study of change in sleep duration: Associations with mortality in the Whitehall II cohort. Sleep. 2007;30:1659.
  9. Bollinger T, et al. Sleep, immunity, and circadian clocks: A mechanistic model. Gerontology. 2010;56:574.
  10. Your guide to healthy sleep. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/index.htm. Accessed Aug. 2, 2013.
  11. Teodorescu MC, et al. Tired and sick. Sleep. 2012;35:97.
  12. Lyytikainen P, et al. Association of sleep duration with weight and weight gain: A prospective follow-up study. Journal of Sleep Research. 2011;20:298.
  13. Chaput JP, et al. Short sleep duration is independently associated with overweight and obesity in Quebec children. Canadian Journal of Public Health. 2011;102:369.
  14. Garaulet M, et al. Short sleep duration is associated with increased obesity markers in European adolescents: Effect of physical activity and dietary habits. International Journal of Obesity. 2011;35:1308.
  15. Bonnet MH, et al. Cardiovascular implications of poor sleep. Sleep Medicine Clinics. 2007;2:529.
MY02522 Sept. 28, 2013

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger