Sleep Deprivation In The United States

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Fifteen-Hundred deaths annually in the United States are caused by driver sleep deprivation (Alic 1419). "A 2006 poll found that only twenty percent of teens got adequate sleep on school nights" (Alic 1419). You might feel that these statistics don't apply to yourself, but think again, do you feel tired? Sleep deprivation is a widespread problem that is ignored by many individuals. It affects students, families, and workers. Sleep deprivation can be tackled by methods such as medication and with medical help, along with proper time management. With these methods sleep deprivation can be greatly reduced and prevent many harmful effects.
Sleep deprivation is a major problem not just in the United States, but in the entire world. In the USA alone,
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To start off sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, require medical diagnosis and treatments. A couple examples for sleep apnea is to use a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Device), which keeps the airways open while sleeping (Alic 1423). If insomnia or other sleep disorders are present, seeing a doctor for advice is important. They may prescribe cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), hypnosis or a melatonin supplement, the hormone that causes sleep (Alic 1423). "Daily melatonin supplements may improve nighttime sleep in blind patients" (Alic 1423). Doctors often prescribe sleeping pills. Recently the "USDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has approved several sleep aids – called sedatives or hypnotics, - for indefinite use" (Alic 1423). Problems with sleeping aids include gaining tolerance toward the aid or even have reversing effects, which obviously is not good. The main problem with the sleep aids that these methods of solutions and treatment for sleep deprivation are expensive, but they are necessary if there is a chronic problem present. If money is a problem, then some simple solutions are sometimes effective. Research says that if the affected person of sleep deprivation is overweight, they can try to lose weight and see if the weight loss helps to get more sleep, or instead of sleeping on the side or front, sleep on your back. So, therefore, a doctor may just say to try and reduce weight, or the doctor may say otherwise. If these few have no effect, do not give up, there is still a lot of hope for