More than 70 million Americans have been diagnosed with some type of sleep disorder, and it’s estimated that many more are undiagnosed.
Sleep disorders and sleep deprivation don’t just result in a case of the mid-day yawns. Lack of sleep is a serious problem that can lead to serious health issues. So serious, in fact, that the CDC declared sleep deprivation to be a national public health crisis in 2014.
Sleep deprivation can impact your mental health and physical health, leading to depression and anxiety, increasing your risks of heart disease and stroke, compromising your immune system, causing weight gain, and numerous other health issues.
As part of our commitment to making sleep health easier to understand during Health Literacy Month (and every month, for that matter!), we’ve put together an easy guide to understanding the causes and effects of sleep deprivation. Check out the infographic below and share with your friends and family to help spread the word about the importance of sleep health.
Sleep apnea is one of the most common causes of sleep deprivation. If you’re experiencing sleep deprivation and suspect it’s due to sleep apnea, you can now get diagnosed from the comfort of your own bed with an at home sleep test.