Chronic Sleep Deprivation and Health

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the effects of chronic sleep deprivation. It looks at the link between chronic sleep deprivation and some of the most prevalent major health issues in the United States today. The paper focuses on J. E. Brody's article, "Personal Health: At Every Age, Feeling the Effects of Too Little Sleep," that was published in the New York Times in 2007. It reviews the article and discusses the article's content.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Circadian Rhythms
Sleep Deprivation in Modern American Society
Sleep Deprivation and Specific Health Risks

From the Paper:

"All mammalian species have a need for regular sleep and while it is clear that sleep provides a restorative function, scientists do not yet understand its precise biological function (Siegel, 2005). Numerous prior research studies have established the link between sleep deprivation and impaired attention and daytime mental acuity, but more recent evidence has suggested that chronic sleep deprivation is directly related to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, in addition to playing a role in depression and behavioral difficulties (Brody, 2007). Combined with the fact that chronic sleep deprivation is considered a social epidemic throughout modern American society, the link between it and some of the most prevalent major health issues makes understanding the precise functions and mechanisms of sleep even more important than previously suspected (Siegel, 2005)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Siegel, J.M. Clues to the Functions of Mammalian Sleep Nature 437, 1264-1271 (October 27, 2005). Retrieved November 17, 2007, from natureonline.com, at: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v437/n7063/full/nature04285.html
• Brody, J.E. Personal Health: At Every Age, Feeling the Effects of Too Little Sleep; The New York Times. (October 23, 2007). Retrieved November 17, 2007 from nytimesonline.com, at: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/health/23brod.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

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