Fairfield-Echo.com

Adequate restful sleep—like a healthy diet and exercise—is critical to good health. Insufficient sleep can result in mental and physical health problems and possibly premature death.

Research has shown that sleep loss accumulates over time, causing sleep debt. Most people don't get the ideal amount of sleep they need and become chronically sleep deprived.

The majority of respondents to the National Sleep Foundation's 2005 Sleep in America poll, which looked at the relationship between Americans' lifestyles, sleep habits and sleep problems, reported symptoms of insomnia. Fifty seven percent of women reported some symptoms of insomnia; 31 percent reported daytime sleepiness at least three days a week; and 24 percent said they get less sleep than they need.

According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2005 Sleep in America Poll, 34 percent of women said they need eight or more hours of sleep a night to function at their best the next day; 21 percent said they need seven to eight hours, 26 percent said they need six to seven; and 17 percent said they need less than six hours.

There is a difference between sleepiness and fatigue. Sleepiness is defined as the inability to stay awake even in situations when wakefulness is required, such as at work or while driving. Fatigue is a general sense of discomfort, irritability and malaise, accompanied by the inability to focus on specific tasks, even after a full night's sleep. Both sleepiness and fatigue can greatly affect quality of life, performance, productivity and safety.

People complaining of fatigue may have a medical, neurological or psychiatric disorder. Neurological disorders in which fatigue is present include multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. Fatigue and changes in sleeping patterns are symptoms of depression as well.

Narcolepsy is defined as difficulty falling and staying asleep every night or most nights despite an adequate opportunity to sleep. Insomnia lasting from a single night to a few weeks is referred to as transient or short-term. If it lasts longer than a month, it's referred to as chronic insomnia. Insomnia has many causes, including physical and mental conditions and stress.

Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling and staying asleep every night or most nights despite an adequate opportunity to sleep. Insomnia lasting from a single night to a few weeks is referred to as transient or short-term. If it lasts longer, it's referred to as chronic insomnia. Insomnia has many different causes, including physical and mental conditions and stress.

As many as 40 percent of women experience insomnia. Women are more likely to suffer from insomnia than men. Hormonal influences and changes in core body temperature may contribute to shifting sleep patterns. Researchers also have found that dieting can lower a woman's body temperature, altering her sleeping pattern.

Sleep apnea occurs when a person temporarily experiences blocked airflow while sleeping. As many as 18 million Americans have sleep apnea. Four percent of middle-aged men and two percent of middle-aged women suffer from this disorder. Sleep apnea may lead to hypertension, heart attack and stroke. However, it can be treated.