Table of contentsHealth factors linked to lack of sleepSleep disordersConclusionThe recommended number of hours of sleep for an adult is between 7 and 9 hours, although it varies from person to person, less than 6 hours and more. 11 hours of sleep is not recommended. Sleep epidemiology is a young field of study, but 20-41.7% of the general population reports insufficient sleep. Lack of sleep can affect a person's mood, memory, longevity, and health. Sleep deprivation is characterized by lack of sleep as well as symptoms experienced during the day, such as: drowsiness, cognitive impairment, irritability, mood swings and anxiety. This essay will cover the health effects of lack of sleep and sleep disorders that affect individuals' ability to achieve good quality sleep. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Health Factors Related to Lack of Sleep Insufficient sleep can lead to problems with an individual's safety, weight, brain function, and overall health. The biggest safety risk from lack of sleep is traffic accidents. Every year, around 6,000 fatal car accidents are caused by drowsy driving. When the body is sleep deprived, food cravings increase due to higher levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin being released and lower levels of the appetite control hormone leptin (Finan, 2015 ). If a person sleeps less than 5 hours per night, the risk of obesity increases by 50%. Other health risks associated with lack of sleep include a 36% increase in the risk of colorectal cancer, less active natural killer cells in the immune system, a 48% increase in the risk of developing heart disease, and an increase in 33% risk of developing dementia. . Lack of sleep affects the body and mind, which can manifest as health problems, but sleep-deprived people also have a higher risk of depression, irritability, anxiety, forgetfulness and fuzzy thoughts. Sleep Disorders There are more than 70 defined sleep disorders and several hundred studies evaluating sleep. disorders in the general population. Four of the most commonly reported sleep disorders are insomnia, narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome. Insomnia is characterized by a multitude of sleep disorders such as difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, waking up at night with difficulty or inability to return to sleep, or even non-restorative sleep. Insomnia in the general population is poorly documented and many cases go undiagnosed. However, numerous studies have shown that insomnia is the most chronic sleep disorder, lasting at least a year in 85% of cases. Excessive sleepiness is another common complaint around the world. population. Although it is commonly referred to as a sleep disorder, this is not the case and is often the result of an underlying sleep disorder or other illness. Excessive sleepiness is often due to poor sleep hygiene, breathing-related sleep disorders, psychiatric disorders, and physical illnesses. Sleep apnea is a common breathing-related sleep disorder characterized by periods of apnea during sleep lasting at least 10 seconds. Present in 2 to 4% of the population, obstructive sleep apnea is linked to excessive sleepiness and insomnia, while sleep apnea.