Behavioral and Environmental Countermeasures of Sleep Loss

Sleep deprivation is a common problem in the United States. Sleep deprivation may be partial or total and can result from chronic or acute sleep loss. Even in healthy individuals, partial or total sleep deprivation can lead to significant daytime impairment. Sleep duration, architecture, and the sleep-wake cycle are all closely associated with many metabolic and regulatory processes. Evidence supports that the persistent lack of sleep can impair physiologic processes and cognitive functioning, resulting in disastrous consequences. Several environmental and behavioral factors can perpetuate sleep loss. Short-term countermeasures to combat the symptoms of sleep loss include stimulating activity, rest breaks, changes in temperature, bright light, noise, sleep hygiene with behavioral modification, and use of stimulants. However, in order to fully recover from the effects of sleep deprivation, the sleep debt must be repaid and adequate sleep must be obtained.