Misconception 3: The body adjusts quickly to different sleep schedules A great deal remains to be learned through scientific studies, including an answer to the key question, What is the function of sleep? Although its function remains unclear, research is providing a great deal of information about what happens in the brain and body during sleep and how the body regulates sleep. Of course, we've heard that a good night's sleep will help us perform better on a test the next day, but is this based on scientific fact, or is it just a continuing myth? The lack of information in textbooks may be due to the fact that sleep research is only recently gaining recognition. Very few textbooks for high school students provide any scientific information about changes that occur in the body during sleep and how those changes affect our ability to move and think. Furthermore, problem sleepiness leads to errors and accidents in the workplace. 29 In addition to the high risk of automobile crashes, problem sleepiness can cause difficulties with learning, memory, thinking, and feelings, which may lead to poor school and work performance and difficulty with relationships. One large study found that in over 50 percent of fall-asleep crashes, the driver was 25 years old or younger. 28 Crashes in which the driver falls asleep are especially common among young male drivers. Approximately 100,000 automobile crashes each year result from drivers who were "asleep at the wheel." In a survey of drivers in New York State, approximately 25 percent reported they had fallen asleep at the wheel at some time. Problem sleepiness may be associated with difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, loss of energy, fatigue, lethargy, and emotional instability. Large numbers of individuals suffering from these sleep disorders are unaware of-and have not been diagnosed or treated for-their disorder. Of the more than 70 known sleep disorders, the most common are obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and restless legs syndrome. Lifestyle factors include not getting enough sleep, having an irregular sleep schedule, and using alcohol or certain medications. Lifestyle factors and undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders can cause problem sleepiness. The prevalence of problem sleepiness is high and has serious consequences, such as drowsy driving or workplace accidents and errors. It is not normal for a person to be sleepy at times when he or she expects to be awake. Problem sleepiness can have serious consequences.
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