Posted on 07/14/2019 1:47:25 PM PDT by Kaslin
In the words of the acclaimed writer JoJo Jensen, “Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year-olds.”
Many scientists have pondered the question of why sleep is of such vital importance. From an evolutionary perspective, it would be ideal if we could survive without sleep. After all, shut-eye leaves animals, including humans, vulnerable to predation.
If you travel quite frequently, you’ve probably succumbed to “first night effect,” or FNE. In simple terms, this means that many humans tend to have a difficult time sleeping during the first night in a new place. According to numerous evolutionary theorists, this reveals something interesting about the ways in which our brains function. FNE, they argue, is an evolutionary remnant rooted in our brains’ hardwired self-defense mechanisms. We sleep with “one eye open,” quite literally. It’s known as the unihemispheric effect. In new environments, we employ a 50/50 sleep system, where one half of the brain sleeps and the other half stays alert. We are on guard, primed to expect disturbances.
Why is sleep so important?
Scientists think sleep is important for two reasons. First, sleep helps repair and restore our organ systems. This includes “cleansing” our muscles, immune systems, and brains. A function of sleep is to flush metabolic byproducts and toxins from the brain -- including the beta-amyloid plaques that accumulate in cases of dementia.
Furthermore, sleep plays a critical role in memory, especially retention and consolidation. Although there is still a lot that we don’t know about the potential benefits of sleep, one thing is for sure: we simply can’t survive without it. Think about it, readers, we spend about a third of our lives sleeping -- so it must serve a function of real significance.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
One purpose of an internship in medicine is to harden the trainee to sleep deprivation, and still do what has to be done. The PTSD that is a consequence, will be with them for the rest of their lives, and colors their relationships with others permanently. I trained at Charity Hospital in NO. The uncaring violence is always with me, until I am healed, by God’s Grace
Seriously?
Maybe writer doesn't know the meaning of the word 'literally'.
Perhaps off-topic but some of us suffer occasional insomnia, but not enough to see a doctor and get a script. Both diphenhydramine and doxylamine succinate are low-grade sleep aids. What America really needs is an effective over the counter sleep aid, not medications who’s ‘side-effects’ are mere drowsiness and considered ‘safe’ for us little people.
You can never get used to sleep deprivation. It affects your health.
I read recently that they are trying not to make interns and residents too many hours, and everything still gets done and they stay healthy too.
I heard that chamomile tea helps relax people so they can fall asleep.
It is not harmful in any way and totally natural.
I have struggled with insomnia since residency, there is nothing safe and effective for long term use. You either get hooked on the prescription stuff or accept the increased risk of dementia with the over the counter stuff.
A nice thick chemistry textbook works wonders.
I resent the hell out of sleep. The best dream in the world isn’t worth giving up 1/3 of a life.
No shit.
Some states are trying to ban 12 hour shifts and forced overtime for nurses.
Occaisional use of doxalymine isn’t a noxious as Benadryl...not that I ever need to use it much. But boy when I have a bad headcold and just want to sleep comfortably, a bit of Tylenol and something with doxalamine in it can give me 8 hours of sleep , often helping me break past the peak of the cold/flu I might be suffering from.
I suspect you are right.
Recently, I was trying to teach my grandsons about the misuse of the word.
Ping.
Might a solution have something to do with insurance companies and hospital administrations? ;-)
. I am not a union guy bit SOMETHING MUST GIVE. It is unreasonable to demand our perfection every minute of the day and then bring lawsuits for things that are bad outcomes, not errors. The system is dying. I love being a doctor, but I am ready to walk away from it. I am very good at my job, but cannot see doing this for the next 15 years. Unless there is a change. And believe me, single payor, reduce physician pay will drive more of us out of the profession. And do NOT believe the nonsense that nurses and practitioners are every bit as good as us. While I do not object to midlevel providers, I assure you that my four years postdoctoral work after 4 years of medical school makes me infinitely better capable to deal with disease and process than someone with 750 clinical hours. That was the first three months of my residency, but is the requirement for ARNP and PA to practice.
The world needs to find out what it is like when American physicians no longer work as we have been trained to. You can only kick us around so much -- and that time is coming. I am hopeful we will organize and do what needs to be done to preserve out health, our freedom, and be recognized for what we do each day. End of rant.
His Grace is sufficient! I think one of the things the newer grads are missing with the work hour restrictions is learning about themselves. in internship i learned how to come to the absolute end of my physical and emotional energy then pull on my big girl pants and do what had to be done. You learn as much about yourself as you do about patients in internship
Be careful of tylenol...it’ll kill your liver
During the week I generally get to bed around 12:00-12:30AM, and my alarm goes off at 5 AM. I hate it, but nearly my entire life that is how it has been. I try to sleep late on weekends.
I leave my house at 5:45 AM and get home at 6:30 PM, and it has been that way for decades.
This is my life. It is my choice. I could change jobs, but this is what I do. We were doing an upgrade, and I have been at work all day today because it was a crisis when it didn’t go well.
I am not blaming anyone. It is my choice. I provide value to my employer and they treat me well.
And so it goes.
In my experience melatonin is more useful, but acetaminophen certainly works. However, among the reasons you should not use acetaminoiphen regularly is that it promotes hearing loss:
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