Sleep Health Information for Teens, 3rd Ed.

Various statistics show that approximately 70 million people in the United States suffer from chronic sleep problems. Lack of sleep is associated with injuries, chronic diseases, mental illnesses, poor quality of life and well-being, increased health-care costs, and lost work productivity. According to the statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than two-thirds of the U.S. high school students report getting less than 8 hours of sleep on school nights. Short sleep duration (<8 hours) is lowest among 9th graders and highest among 12th graders. According to the survey conducted by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), adults who got inadequate sleep (<7 hours of sleep per 24-hour period) were more likely to report 10 chronic health conditions, such as being obese, physically inactive, and smokers when compared to people who got enough sleep.

Sleep Health Information for Teens, Third Edition provides basic consumer information about sleep, the link between sleep and health, various sleep habits and disorders, their symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatments. It also includes information on sleep deprivation and its consequences. The book concludes with a list of resources for additional help and information.

Part 1: Understanding Sleep explains the biology, facts, and misperceptions about sleep and its stages. It also describes dreams, REM sleep, and how sleep and memory are associated with each other.

Part 2: The Sleep Health Link describes the link between sleep, physical and mental health, how much sleep is needed for healthy living, and what can be done if we cannot sleep. It also gives tips on bedding and setting a sleep environment for a good sleep. It also describes how stress, exercise, and substance abuse can affect sleep along with sleep medications’ possible benefits and risks.

Part 3: Sleep Disorders and Related Problems gives a detailed explanation of the problems or conditions related to sleep, how they affect the quality of sleep, and its prevention. It also talks about how alcohol, pain, snoring, asthma, and bladder control problems can affect sleep.

Part 4: The Consequences of Sleep Deprivation gives a detailed explanation of sleep deprivation and deficiency, how this can lead to chronic health conditions, and its effects on learning, sports, and other day-to-day activities.

Part 5: Common Sleep Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment explains in detail the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common sleep disorders and related problems such as insomnia, parasomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, nightmares, etc.

Part 6: If You Need More Information includes a glossary of terms related to sleep and disorders and a directory of resources for additional help and support.