How poor sleep affects your health

Sleep and sleep-related problems play a role in a large number of human disorders and affect almost every field of medicine.

How much sleep do we need?

There are many factors that go into the amount of sleep needed, including age. On average teenagers need about 9 hours of sleep, while adults need 7-8 hours. When you do not get enough sleep time, your body creates a “sleep-debt” and will demand that debt to be repaid eventually. Over time, your body may get used to this deprivation but your judgment, reaction time and other functions will still be impaired.¹

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep and sleep-related problems play a role in a large number of human disorders and affect almost every field of medicine. At least 40 million Americans each year suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders each year, and an additional 20 million experience occasional sleeping problems. These disorders and the resulting sleep deprivation interfere with work, driving, and social activities.¹

_{1 What is Sleep? Why is it needed? – American Sleep Association. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2019, from https://www.sleepassociation.org/about-sleep/what-is-sleep/
2 The Effects of Sleep Deprivation. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2019, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy-sleep/health-risks/the-effects-of-sleep-deprivation}