Posted by rainbowbrite on September 8, 2005, at 0:54:39
In reply to lack of sleep causes brain damage, posted by sadaiy on September 7, 2005, at 14:16:44
This article is interesting it suggests death is possible, 'The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Brain and Behavior' Sarah Ledoux
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro01/web3/Ledoux.html"One of the possible side effects of a continued lack of sleep is death. Usually this is the result of the fact that the immune system is weakened without sleep. The number of white blood cells within the body decreases, as does the activity of the remaining white blood cells. The body also decreases the amount of growth hormone produced (8). The ability of the body to metabolize sugar declines, turning sugar into fat. One study stated that people who sleep less than four hours per night are three times more likely to die within the next six years (11). Although the longest a human has remained awake was eleven days rats that are continually deprived of sleep die within two to five weeks, generally due to their severely weakened immune system (10), (11), (12)."
poster:rainbowbrite
thread:551924
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050901/msgs/552158.html