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Obstructive Sleep

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Tossing and turning for countless hours, staying up to study for that test, or doing homework into the early hours of the morning is affecting todays teenagers more than they know. The National Institutes of Heath states that the average adult today sleeps less than seven hours per night, and this is a recipe for chronic sleep deprivation. If adults getting seven hours of sleep a night aren't getting enough, then how much sleep do people need today? Teenagers and adults today have more problems sleeping than ever with the average person sleeping less than seven hours a night, affecting the mind and body of individuals today in significant ways, scientists think it may be the result of mental disorders and their medications. For years, scientists …show more content…

In the summer of 2009 Harvard Medical school released an article stating "Chronic sleep problems affect 50% to 80% of patients in a typical psychiatric practice, compared with 10% to 18% of adults in the general U.S. population" (Sleep and mental health 1). There are more than 70 types of sleep disorders, including insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and various movement syndromes. Insomnia is when someone has troubles falling or staying asleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is when someone has disordered breathing whilst sleeping that causes many awakening throughout the …show more content…

Lack of sleep can affect the ability to function in academic environments by impairing the ability to learn, listen, and solve problems. Insufficient amounts of sleep have been linked to depression, suicide, and risk-tasking behaviors. "During sleep, important body functions and brain activity occur. Skipping sleep can be harmful or even deadly, especially if you are behind the wheel. You can look bad, you may feel moody, and you perform poorly. Sleepiness can make it hard to get along with your family and friends and hurt your scores on school exams, on the court or on the field." (Teens and Sleep 1) During sleep the body repairs muscles and tendons, releases hormones to regulate growth and appetite, restores energy, and contributes to a healthy immune system. Sleep is linked with the repair of the heart and blood vessels and sleep deficiency after long periods of time can be linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. Not getting enough sleep can affect an individuals mood, energy, health, and even their ability to handle stress. Studies show that not getting the recommended amount of sleep can be linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems. If today's teenagers and adults that sleep less than seven hours a night aren't getting enough sleep, then

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