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Lack of sleep affects students

By Carolyn Grindrod
[email protected]
Editor-in-Chief

Insomnia, by Sam Gaines Stuck on sheep number 693? According to Dr. Omar Burshtin of the New York University School of Medicine, 90 percent of college students don�t get enough sleep.

This epidemic of sleep deprivation known as insomnia is defined by the American Insomnia Association (AIA) as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep and affects more than a third of American adults today.

But why is getting enough sleep so important to students? As stated by an article by Seema Agarwal, �The purpose of sleep is to allow the body to repair and rejuvenate. Sleep also reduces fatigue and stress. Dreaming helps to clear the nervous system.�

Not getting enough sleep can affect students� performance in school and other activities. Studenthealth101.com says that students who do not get enough sleep are more likely to feel groggy during class and have trouble concentrating and remembering for exams.

Insomnia comes in many different forms and can create restless nights for those who have it at all ages.

According to AIA, there are three main types of insomnia.

Transient insomnia is the inability to sleep for a short period, for example the day before a big test.

Short-term insomnia inhibits sleep for four to six weeks at a time and is usually caused by ongoing stress.

Chronic insomnia refers to the inability to sleep for more than a six-month period and can be caused by breathing ailments.

Insomnia can be caused by many different factors, including health problems and stress.

Different lifestyles can also make individuals more susceptible to insomnia, according to the AIA.

For example, those who smoke or drink alcohol usually are at higher risk for insomnia. Individuals who work odd-shift jobs are also at risk.

Other factors could be attributed to one�s environment, for example noise or air pollution.

There are many different methods of treatment for insomniacs. According to The Harbin Clinic Sleep Disorders Clinic, one of the most common methods of treatment is counseling and therapy for stress-related problems; another common method is through prescription medicines such as Ambien and Sonata.

However, according to AIA, while these drugs can help with insomnia, they do not cure it.

The best treatment for insomnia is to seek help from a Medical professional.