Possible Consequences of Poor Sleep

By Sushil Gupta MD

Introduction Sushil Gupta, MD, leads Sleep Disorders Centers of

Connecticut as medical director. In addition to attending to management responsibilities at the practice, Dr. Sushil Gupta treats New Haven County, CT, patients experiencing sleep disorders.

Good sleep is of utmost importance to a person’s overall health and well-being. Even in the short term, lack of sleep or quality sleep can have serious consequences, as it can more than double the chance of a person experiencing an occupational injury. Poor sleep is also associated with an increased chance of getting in a car accident.

Poor Sleep According to National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration estimates, sleepiness while driving causes over 100,000 car crashes per year, many of which result in injuries or even fatalities.

In addition to causing decreased alertness and ability to concentrate on things such as work and driving, poor sleep contributes to poor mental health. For example, if a person is irritable due to lack of sleep, his or her personal relationships might suffer due to conflicts and moodiness.