Community Corner
I Only Sleep Three Hours a Night. Could This Cause Brain Damage?
Today's 'Ask the Expert' question is being answered by Dr. Sunita Kumar, the medical director of the Loyola University Health System Sleep Program.
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Reader question: "I'm a single mom who is working two jobs to support
my kids. Because of my life situation right now, I only sleep three hours a
night. A friend of mine who is in nursing school said this could lead to
permanent brain damage. Is that true?
Dr. Sunita Kumar, : Sleep deprivation, i.e., sleeping less than 7-8 hours at night, has been associated with multiple adverse effects including increased risk for hypertension, depression and heart disease. It can also affect a person's cognitive abilities (higher brain function) such as decision making and reaction time as well as reduce attention span. This is the likely reason it has been associated with automobile accidents.
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