This is Public Health: Sleep Deprivation

   The issue discussed in class that I would like to address is the negative effects of chronic sleep deprivation. I found this topic to be interesting because as an athlete, sometimes I fail to get a reccommended 8 hours a night. The class discussions taught me how necessary it is that I get a full nights sleep. Some consequences of chronic sleep deprivation include; a decrease in alertness, memory impairment, stress, and a poor quality of life. Many automobile accidents are caused by the effects of people driving sleep deprived. Chronic sleep deprivation also causes many health problems such as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and psychiatric problems.

   

  The discussions of this topic in class has motivated me to talk to my father about his sleeping problems. He is always working and barely makes time for himself to sleep at night, but he doesn't seem to realize the harm that he is doing to all of the systems in his body. If I can convince my dad to plan his day better to allow more sleep, then I believe he would be a happier person and he would feel better throughout his day. 

  This issue is important to public health because college students need to educate themselves on the effects of chronic sleep deprivation. It is a big issue for college students especially because some students will stay up all night either studying or completing an assignment. Most of these students think that they can drink cups of coffee during the week and try to catch up on their sleep over the weekend, but they are mistaken. Once you lose a nights sleep you can not make that night up because the effects from the night before have already taken place.