A 2005 survey by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) revealed that 75
percent of adults had at least one symptom of a sleep problem and that 54
percent experienced at least one symptom of insomnia - they either cannot get to sleep or cannot maintain being asleep.
Some other statistics on the prevalence of Sleep Disorders include:
It is estimated that 30 to 40 percent of Americans suffer from insomnia occasionally, with 10 to 15 percent having chronic insomnia problems.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea Page 8 of 49
Some 40 percent of adults have a snoring problem and they are not the only ones suffering as their spouses also suffer disruption of their sleep
Between 2 to 4 percent of the population suffer from sleep apnea, a condition in which a person experience pauses in breathing during their sleep.
Another 5 to 10 percent of people have restless leg syndrome (RLS), a condition of unpleasant tingling sensation in their legs at night which can cause pain.
An NBC News report on 4th March, 2008 reported that 29% of the population find themselves sleepy at work.
The same NBC report also revealed that 20% of the people said that lack of sleep resulted in less sex in their lives.
The Symptoms and Effects of Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation as a result of a sleeping disorder can have serious consequences. Sleep deprivation affect virtually all aspects of our lives and some of the consequences resulting from sleep deficiency include the following:
Insufficient sleep could result in Obesity.
Sleep deprivation could lead to Diabetes.
Other consequences of poor sleep include Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure and Stroke.
Your memory could be affected by the lack of sleep and you may face potential concentration problems.
People who have lack of sleep are more moody and irritable.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea Page 9 of 49
There is a higher rate of accidents and injuries amongst sleep-deprived persons.
Sleep deficiency also lead to lower efficiency and lower job performance.
Marital and social problems could arise due to sleep deprivation.
Some sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea can be life-threatening.