A person who feels eight hours of sleep a night is not enough may explore the possibility of sleep abnormalities. Cheating the body one night encourages the body to make up the difference the next night. Without quality sleep, all the time in bed does not make a difference. Problems like snoring and sleep apnea often can be corrected. It is estimated 43 percent of those reporting sleeping problems snore and an equal number have insomnia.
Sleep deprivation can be hazardous to health.
A recent survey indicated that 57 percent of men and women reported driving while drowsy. This increases to 80 percent of evening shift workers. Twenty-three percent say they have fallen asleep at the wheel. Sleeping is an investment in health. A person having trouble sleeping can contact the Sleep Disorder and Research Center at Deaconess Medical Center 768-3100 or check with a local university to see if a convenient program exists.