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Suggest Remedy For Chronic Sleep Deprivation
Question: Hi, my question is regarding sleep deprevation. I had a period of about 6 months where I was not sleeping well (4 - 6 hours per night). I have since remedied the sleeping issues, but have noticied ongoing cognitive issues, such as slow thinkinng, brain fog, trouble solving problems. This is more noticeable when I dont sleep well, and less noticeable when I do. But it has been ongoing since I corrected my sleep issues. I'm concerned I may have caused permanent brain damage. Is this possible? Is there anything i can do to recover more quickly (if possible)? Thanks
Brief Answer:
no permanent brain damage
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
As such sleep deprivation can cause cognitive problems like slow thinking, brain fog and trouble solving difficulty. But they are reversible when sleep deprivation is restored.
One explanation according sleep deprivation and sleep debt theory:
I general an adult needs 6-8 hours of sleep per day. If your problem was there for 6 months it leads to approximately 360 hours loss of sleep (assuming you require 6 hours per day and you got only 4 hours per day and 180 days x 2 hours).
Suppose you take 8 hours sleep now you are taking 2 hours more. And by that you are completing sleep debt of 360 hours. So it will take roughly 4-6 months to clear the debt.
So you will be normal soon.
- let me know exactly how much time has been passed you corrected sleep?
- How did you correct sleep problem?
- Was it primary insomnia or secondary?
(Primary: There is problem of only sleep disturbance and no other physical or psychological problem is there. Secondary: There is some underlying physical or psychological problem which is responsible for sleep disturbance.)
The best way is sleep more for few days to complete the sleep debt (if not cleared) and recover fast.
One cause of poor cognition may be use of sleeping pills specifically from benzodiazepine group. If you have taken the medicines let me know name with dose and duration
In any case there is no chance of permanent brain damage.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
no permanent brain damage
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
As such sleep deprivation can cause cognitive problems like slow thinking, brain fog and trouble solving difficulty. But they are reversible when sleep deprivation is restored.
One explanation according sleep deprivation and sleep debt theory:
I general an adult needs 6-8 hours of sleep per day. If your problem was there for 6 months it leads to approximately 360 hours loss of sleep (assuming you require 6 hours per day and you got only 4 hours per day and 180 days x 2 hours).
Suppose you take 8 hours sleep now you are taking 2 hours more. And by that you are completing sleep debt of 360 hours. So it will take roughly 4-6 months to clear the debt.
So you will be normal soon.
- let me know exactly how much time has been passed you corrected sleep?
- How did you correct sleep problem?
- Was it primary insomnia or secondary?
(Primary: There is problem of only sleep disturbance and no other physical or psychological problem is there. Secondary: There is some underlying physical or psychological problem which is responsible for sleep disturbance.)
The best way is sleep more for few days to complete the sleep debt (if not cleared) and recover fast.
One cause of poor cognition may be use of sleeping pills specifically from benzodiazepine group. If you have taken the medicines let me know name with dose and duration
In any case there is no chance of permanent brain damage.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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