ANCSLEEP BLOG

Sleep Deprivation and Sleep Debt

When you don’t get enough sleep, you become sleep deprived. The difference between how much sleep you have been getting and how much sleep you personally need is often called a “sleep debt.” The implication here is that over time, a “debt” forms where you need to “catch up” on sleep in order to not suffer from sleep deprivation any more. Unfortunately, overcoming sleep deprivation is not as simple as simply

Sleep debts are extremely important to correctly understand. The common misconceptions about what a sleep debt is and how you “repay” it undermines the ability to actually overcome sleep deprivation. The primary misconception that we see is that one can “repay” a sleep debt in the same way you repay a monetary debt: by binge sleeping.

It simply doesn’t work this way.

What is Oversleeping, or Binge Sleeping?

Binge sleeping, a common escape route for those suffering from sleep deprivation, offers the illusion of a quick fix to feeling normal again. Picture this: you spend the entire week burning the midnight oil on your computer, only to wake up at your usual time for work, barely getting 6 hours of sleep. Then, the weekend arrives and you indulge in a few extra hours of shut-eye each day, maybe even sneaking in a nap or two. This is the essence of binge sleeping, but here's the truth - it doesn't actually work.

The concept of binge sleeping originates from the idea of having a "sleep debt," which plays a crucial role in discussions about sleep deprivation and sleep binging.

Consider this: on an average, Americans sleep for around 6.8 hours per night during the week, but that number jumps to 7.4 hours during the weekend (about 40 minutes more). These figures indicate that a significant portion of the population engages in binge sleeping, seeking to catch up on lost sleep.

Unfortunately, binge sleep doesn't eliminate your sleep debt. It may provide temporary relief, but the signs of sleep deprivation quickly resurface.

What is Your Circadian Rhythm?

Your circadian rhythm is your innate biological clock that helps your body function in patterns and rhythms. It regulates your natural sleep schedule, and is closely tied to both melatonin, the sleep hormone, and changes in light.

Your biological sleep clock exists in a part of your brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, which sits right behind the nerves of your eyes – hence why your clock is sensitive to light.

It is crucial for you to understand your circadian rhythm in order to build healthy sleeping habits.

Overview of Shift Work Disorder

Shift work sleeping disorder, also known as shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), is a disruptive circadian rhythm disorder that stems from the demands of shift work. While not everyone who works non-traditional hours experiences this disorder, it is common enough among those who work irregular, long, or night shifts to warrant its own classification.

SWSD causes sleep deprivation, leading to a range of symptoms that align with those of sleep deprivation itself:

• Chronic fatigue
• Mental fogginess
• Insomnia
• Decreased performance in various aspects of life
• Difficulty managing stress
• Lower tolerance for pain
• Chronic irritability or a short temper
• Increased susceptibility to illness

Sleep deprivation poses significant risks, including a decrease in life expectancy, a lower quality of life, and various health complications. In the following sections, we will delve further into the specific risks associated with shift work sleep disorder.

Stay tuned to learn more about the potential consequences of SWSD.

What is a Sleep Attack?

Sleep attacks are sudden and overpowering urges to sleep that occur at unexpected times, such as during a meeting. They strike swiftly, interrupting your normal activities and making you feel as if you just woke up and immediately need to go back to sleep. These sleep attacks can pose a serious safety risk in certain professions and activities like driving.

It's important to note that sleep attacks are not the same as feeling tired after a meal or hitting a wall of exhaustion at night, although they share a similar intensity. They are commonly associated with the sleep disorder narcolepsy, with frequent sleep attacks being a primary symptom of this condition.

Why You’re Always Tired

Feeling constantly tired is often a sign of sleep deprivation, although it doesn't apply to everyone. Sleep deprivation occurs when you don't get enough sleep, which for adults should be a minimum of 7 hours per day. This lack of sleep accumulates as a "sleep debt," which means you'll need to make up for it by consistently getting more sleep in the future.

Types of Insomnia

If you have ever experienced the torment of insomnia or are currently battling with it, then you understand the frustration and the toll it can take on your ability to lead a normal, happy life. In simple terms, it can make life unbearably miserable. It can transform you into a different version of yourself, affecting your behavior and making you less productive in all aspects of life. It even diminishes your lifespan and reduces the overall quality of life. So, it is without a doubt worth taking proactive measures to avoid it.

However, the issue of insomnia is far from simple. It becomes even more complicated when you consider the fact that there are different types of insomnia.

• Primary insomnia - insomnia that is a direct result of another underlying cause.
• Secondary insomnia - insomnia that occurs without a clear, identifiable issue.

Furthermore, insomnia can manifest in two ways, causing different degrees of suffering:

• Acute insomnia - a short-term condition that lasts for a month or less.
• Chronic insomnia - a long-term condition that occurs at least three times per week for a month or more.

In total, there are four distinct ways in which one can experience insomnia:

• Secondary/acute insomnia - temporary insomnia triggered by a known problem, such as a temporary illness or stress.
• Primary/acute insomnia - temporary insomnia with no discernible reason.
• Secondary/chronic insomnia - chronic insomnia caused by a usually persistent issue like pain or a long-term illness.
• Primary/chronic insomnia - chronic insomnia without any identifiable cause.

Now, let's delve into the various strategies and techniques we can employ to avoid insomnia by addressing its common root causes.

What is Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a sleeping disorder characterized by uncomfortable feelings in your legs at night, and sometimes other extremities as well. RLS causes enough discomfort to interfere with sleep, leading to sleep deprivation, hence why it is considered a sleep disorder. It can be a potentially serious condition if the severity is bad enough, so if these symptoms are similar to what you've been experiencing, then please continue reading to learn the next steps. .

RLS is caused by your nervous system. The experience of RLS is similar across the affected population in that there is chronic discomfort in the legs at night. This discomfort can also occur in other extremities. It can be mild, uncomfortable, and even intolerable.

RLS is not always consistent, which can make it difficult to diagnose. You are probably familiar with the scenarios people tend to joke about: you have chronic pain and as soon as you go to the doctor the pain goes away; your car is making a funny noise and as soon as you take it to the mechanic the noise disappears. RLS is similar because it comes and goes over a period of time or could be chronic and experienced all the time.

Many people just tolerate the symptoms but this doesn’t have to be the case. This condition does have a name and can be addressed with the help of a doctor or sleep specialist.

What is Sleep Paralysis?

Sleep paralysis is scary, no doubt about it. It’s the feeling of being conscious, but unable to move. It occurs right before you fall asleep, or right after you wake up – namely, in the transition to or from sleep. It can last a few seconds, or it can last up to a couple of minutes (or more!).

During an episode of sleep paralysis:

• You will be partially or totally unable to move
• May be unable to speak

Simply put, it arises as a result of your body not smoothly transitioning between stages of wakefulness and sleep. Continue reading to learn more about what sleep paralysis is and how to manage it.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disruptive and potentially dangerous sleep disorder that interrupts your breathing multiple times throughout the night, typically for around 20 seconds at a time. These interruptions, known as apnea events, force your body to wake up and start breathing again, preventing you from achieving restful sleep and leading to significant sleep deprivation. The consequences of OSA can be profound and have a negative impact on your overall well-being. While some individuals may be at a higher risk for developing OSA, it's important to assess whether you could be susceptible to this condition.

Apnea events can occur as frequently as 40 times per night for those with mild sleep apnea, and over 240 times per night for individuals with severe sleep apnea. Interestingly, you won't have any recollection of these events in the morning. Regardless of whether you experience 50 or 150 instances of interrupted breathing during the night, the end result is chronic sleep deprivation.

The point is that the consequences are largely the same, the difference may only be the severity of the symptoms and rapidity of damages done.

While there are many potential consequences, they are all related to causing:

• A shortened lifespan
• A lower quality life
• Medical complications

There are various factors that will put you at risk for developing OSA, including:

• Medical and biological risk factors
• Physical risk factors
• Lifestyle risk factors

Let’s look at these risk factors in more detail.