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Driver fatigue is the primary cause of at
least 200,000 police-reported crashes and more than 1,500 deaths annually, according to
the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA)
Menstrual Cycle, Pregnancy Affect Sleep
- 20 % of both menopausal and postmenopausal women slept
less than 6 hours per night during the workweek, and 56 percent reported frequent insomnia
- 71 % of menstruating women reported disturbed sleep due to
cramping, bloating, headaches, and tender breasts during their period.
- 68 % of menstruating women felt sleepiest in the week before, or
the first few days of their period
- 79 % of women reported that sleep disturbances increased during
pregnancy.
- 38 % reported often or always waking at night to use the
bathroom
- 20 % of women used over-the-counter medications for sleep aid in
the past year
- 31 % of women used caffeinated beverages or over-the-counter and
prescription medications to help them stay awake.
(source: 1998
Women and Sleep Poll, National Sleep Foundation) |
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The
National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is a nonprofit organization
that promotes understanding of the importance of sleep and sleep disorders, and supports
education, research and advocacy to improve public health and safety.
Call 1-800-SHUTEYE
to receive a sleep diary and the NSF brochure "When
you can't Sleep, the ABC of ZZZs".
American Sleep Disorders
Association |
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 Restful sleep is as important as exercise or a
healthy diet in maintaining overall health. But in spite of evidence showing the value of
good sleep, few americans are getting the rest they need.
 Symptoms
Causes
Prevention
Internet Resources
- Restlessness when trying
to fall asleep
- Short sleep followed by wakefulness
- Irregular Sleep-Wake schedules
- Periods of sleeplessness alternating with periods of excessive sleep
- Sleepiness during day time
In addition, if you snore and are sleepy during the day, you
could have the disorder called "sleep apnea".
Sleep disorders can have multiple causes and their risk
increase with :
- Depression
- Hyperactivity of the thyroid gland
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Alcoholism
- Consumption of stimulants such as coffee, tea or cola drinks in the afternoon/evening
- Noisy environment
- Avoid causes mentioned above
- Don’t exercise or have significant activity before bedtime
- Go to bed only when sleepy. If sleep doesn't come easily, get out of bed again, stay up
until you are getting definitely sleepy
- Establish a regular sleep schedule, including relaxing methods such as warm bath before
bedtime
- Learn how to relax and minimize stress
- Use ear plugs or eye shades
- Ask your doctor about sleep medications for short term use only. Long term use of these
medications can actually have opposite effects.
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