Sleep deprivation is caused when the body does not get enough sleep during the night. Each night, children and teenagers need about 10 hours of sleep and adults need anywhere from 7-9 hours. However, their are several obstacles that are preventing individuals (students in particular) from getting enough sleep such as new technologies (phones, computers, and television), early school starting times, and too much work. Once individuals become sleep deprived, they often stay sleep deprived. This is because the body's systems are on a "biologic clock" and when individuals do not sleep, the entire body begins a habit to follow the new schedule--causing the body to sustain its poor sleeping habit. Most individuals are unaware of the deadly consequences that sleep deprivation can bring to them. The effects and consequences of sleep deprivation include hallucinations, mood swings, lack of memory, poor response time, changes to the immune system, increased chances of stroke, and in extreme scenarios--death. But why does sleep deprivation have such extreme consequences? During the day, the body builds up extra waste such as adenosine. Adenosine is stored in the brain. When adenosine builds up, it encourages the body to sleep. While sleeping, the body's glympharic system, the system that clears out the extra adenosine from the brain, is much more active. Also, while sleeping, the body repairs DNA. Their are several solutions to sleep deprivation such as moving the starting time of school later, not using technologies before going to bed, spending plenty of time in sun each day, etc. Sleep deprivation is an extremely dangerous public health epidemic that must be paid more attention to.
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