CONSEQUENCES OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION
Journal Title: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health - Year 2010, Vol 23, Issue 1
Abstract
This paper presents the history of research and the results of recent studies on the effects of sleep deprivation in animals and humans. Humans can bear several days of continuous sleeplessness, experiencing deterioration in wellbeing and effectiveness; however, also a shorter reduction in the sleep time may lead to deteriorated functioning. Sleeplessness accounts for impaired perception, difficulties in keeping concentration, vision disturbances, slower reactions, as well as the appearance of microepisodes of sleep during wakefulness which lead to lower capabilities and efficiency of task performance and to increased number of errors. Sleep deprivation results in poor memorizing, schematic thinking, which yields wrong decisions, and emotional disturbances such as deteriorated interpersonal responses and increased aggressiveness. The symptoms are accompanied by brain tissue hypometabolism, particularly in the thalamus, prefrontal, frontal and occipital cortex and motor speech centres. Sleep deficiency intensifies muscle tonus and coexisting tremor, speech performance becomes monotonous and unclear, and sensitivity to pain is higher. Sleeplessness also relates to the changes in the immune response and the pattern of hormonal secretion, of the growth hormone in particular. The risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease increases. The impairment of performance which is caused by 20–25 hours of sleeplessness is comparable to that after ethanol intoxication at the level of 0.10% blood alcohol concentration. The consequences of chronic sleep reduction or a shallow sleep repeated for several days tend to accumulate and resemble the effects of acute sleep deprivation lasting several dozen hours. At work, such effects hinder proper performance of many essential tasks and in extreme situations (machine operation or vehicle driving), sleep loss may be hazardous to the worker and his/her environment.
Authors and Affiliations
JOLANTA ORZEŁ-GRYGLEWSKA
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP118784
- DOI DOI 10.2478/v10001-010-0004-9
- Views 97
- Downloads 0
The mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between workplace bullying, mental health and an intention to leave among nurses in Taiwan
Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between workplace bullying, mental health and an intention to leave among nurses, and the mediating role of self-efficacy. Material and Methods: This cross...
THE EFFECT OF ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS ADMINISTERED IN PREGNANCY ON MICRONUCLEUS FREQUENCY IN CORD BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES
[b]Objectives[/b]: Epidemiological data indicate that the pregnancies of epileptic women constitute about 1% of all pregnancies. A large group of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) applied in long-term monotherapy or polytherapy...
The association between rurality and return to work for workers’ compensation claimants with work-related musculoskeletal injuries: An analysis of workers who failed to return to work within typical healing time frames
Objectives: The objectives of this study have been to: 1) describe and compare urban and rural injured worker populations in Alberta, Canada; 2) identify return-to-work outcomes in urban and rural populations; 3) examine...
WORK-RELATED RISK FACTORS OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
[b]Objectives:[/b] The aim of the study was to find out which occupational factors account for the risk of the myocardial infarction. [b]Material and Methods:[/b] A questionnaire survey was performed during the period of...
Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields in the Polish Armed Forces
Objectives: Standard devices used by military personnel that may pose electromagnetic hazard include: radars, missile systems, radio navigation systems and radio transceivers. The aim of this study has been to evaluate t...