Sleep? Sorry, Too Tired To Worry About It
By MedHeadlines • Feb 29th, 2008 • Category: Lifestyle, Neurology, Prevention, SleepOne way to cope with chronic insomnia is to accept it and not worry too much about it but worry we should. We should also worry when a lifestyle too filled with things to do instead of sleep keeps us up at night, too. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says about 10% of the adult population of the United States just doesn’t get enough sleep. 
We all know that tonight’s lack of sleep will most likely lead to tomorrow afternoon’s nodding off at work or school and probably a grouchy disposition, too. The CDC wants us to know that it leads to other more serious repercussions, too.
There are some very serious long-term health issues that are associated with sleep deprivation, not to mention the very real possibility of falling asleep at the wheel or while operating dangerous equipment and power tools.
Obesity is linked to sleep deprivation and being overweight brings its own list of serious medical complications. But depression and a tendency toward risky behaviors such as excessive drinking, smoking, and a lack of physical activity are also characteristic of sleep deprivation.
The CDC report studied the sleep habits of people in four states – New York, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Hawaii – and found that one-third of the adults say they didn’t get enough sleep every day within the past month. Based on the study, an estimated 50 to 70 million people of all ages experience chronic sleep loss and its associated medical disorders.
But what exactly is enough sleep?
The National Sleep Foundation says most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. Young children between the ages of 5 and 12 need lots more, anywhere from 9 to 11 hours. Between the ages of 11 and 17, most adolescents function best with 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep each night.
It’s been a common belief that older people suffer the most from sleep loss but the CDC study finds that more than 13% of the people aged 18 to 34 experience sleep loss while only 7% of those 55 and older do.
Regardless of age, the number of adults claiming to get six hours or less of sleep on a regular basis has risen since 1985.
Source: CDC
- On average, how many hours of sleep do you get each night?
10% of the adult population lacking sleep, according the CDC, is extremely inaccurate. I read in ABC News’ recent article that the CDC reported 70% of adults lacking sleep. Get your facts straight, especially if you are going to cite another source!
Dear JADE FRANCETICH,
Although a bit rude and incorrect, your comment is nonetheless appreciated. We would like to kindly inform you that the CDC press release cites 10% of Americans reporting lack of sleep (editorial QC process never fails). 70% is not mentioned anywhere in the CDC’s press release http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2008/r080228.htm.
Ironically, same comment applies “Get your facts straight, especially if you are going to cite another source!”
Yours Truly,
MedHeadlines Team
I can tell you this without fear of reprisal;100% of me has never had enough sleep.The last twenty years that I worked I was on call 24 hours a day.I put in long days at work and long nights when problems arose,consequently I learned to survive on very little sleep.It’s now 0245 and I’ve been up for about an hour.I’ve had about 4 hours sleep during the night and that will be enough for me until tonight.If for some reason I don’t get any sleep tonight I will be all right until tomorrow night,at which time I will have to sleep at least an hour before I could go again.I’ve had no health problems at all,so I ‘ve been very lucky.
Hahaha, got you, sucka! Dont mess with the editors, rofl.
Another article in the series entitled, “Another study of something so obvious it does not really even require a study.”
Next up in the series “Studies show exercise is good for your health.”
Sleep deprivation may lurk behind post partum depression, obesity of milking mothers, and even child abuse. Has anyone examined these possibilities?