The effects of sleep deprivation are astonishing.  They affect more then just the patient, they have a systemic affect on all social relationships.  In this short video you will learn some surprising facts about how going without sleep for just one night is a bad idea.

Sleep isn't for the weak.  It's for the smart.  I know from experience.  For the last 15 years I have spent 1/3 of my life awake.  Taking care of people's emergencies, I have been happy and not so happy, to stay awake and avoid my pillow.  This isn't about me and my professional career of consuming coffee and running on 4 hours of sleep in 36 hours.  I would like to bring awareness to a very real problem we are facing, sleep deprivation. 
The average American is estimated to get less than 8 hours of sleep 45% of the time.  What this means is Americans are 15% more likely to have strokes and additional health problems as a result of missed shut eye.  Sleep deprivation isn't just a cognitive problem, it affects all the body systems.  From the central nervouse system to the Immune and Lymphatic systems.  Sleep affects all these bodily systems and has been proven to lead to dementia.  Firefighters aren't alone in this missed shut eye. Many professionals admit to feeling fatigue regularly.  

Call me a nerd but, I love reading great articles and web sites about the body, the mind, and physiological responses we still don't know much about!!  Today I found an interesting article on neurotransmitters, the chemicals found in our brains that help assist in functions, feelings, and even are responsible for getting us to sleep.  These little guys are responsible for keeping us a wake or making us nod off.  They are crucial and incredibly important. Check out this web site on neurotransmitters and sleep.  
http://www.howsleepworks.com/how_neurological.html

Enjoy! Happy sleeping
​
​