Almost everyone has experienced sleep deprivation at one time or another in their lives. It could have been from being out all night with friends, working late into the night on a project or being up with a sick child. Sleep deprivation that occurs for one or two nights in a row is not considered to be as harmful as ongoing sleep deprivation. However, even a night or two of not enough sleep can have consequences.

There are many factors that can contribute to sleep deprivation. Some of them can be avoided and others are hard to avoid. For instance, having too much caffeine before bedtime, staying up late to watch television or going out until early in the morning with friends are all habits that can be changed if they are affecting your sleep. Things such as taking care of a new baby or a sick child are temporary and can't be helped until the baby starts sleeping through the night or your child is feeling better. Hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause and certain medications can also affect your ability to get a good night's sleep.

Lack of sleep or sleep deprivation can have a negative affect on different aspects of your life. One of the most obvious affects is the exhaustion and fatigue that any person who is not getting enough sleep will experience. This exhaustion can lead to mood swings such as crying for no reason or losing your temper over small things. Sleep deprivation also contributes to memory loss. For instance, many new moms talk about having "baby brain" where they can't remember what they were going to get when they went into a room or what they were talking about when they were in mid-sentence.

One of the most dangerous things attributed to sleep deprivation is an increase of accidents in the home, work place or on the road. Drivers who are driving while experience the exhaustion of sleep deprivation have the same reflexes as someone driving under the influence and run the risk of falling asleep at the wheel. The fatigue and exhaustion of sleep deprivation also can cause a person to misjudge, miscalculate and misunderstand things which often ends in accidents or injury.

To avoid the negative affects of sleep deprivation, it is imperative that you get the amount of sleep each night that your body needs. If you are experience sleep deprivation as a result of your own actions, it is time to change those habits. If you are having trouble sleeping, you should talk to your doctor to see if he can recommend anything from a medication to a sleep clinic. The sooner you can get your sleeping habits and sleep deprivation under control, the better it will be for your health and safety.