Also Read Answers From:
Comprehensive Medical Second Opinion.Submit your Case
Hello doctor,
It is known that many teenagers suffer from sleep-deprivation. My son has also suffered from sleep-deprivation. He is now 21 years old. According to his physicist, each day's recommended amount of sleep is minimal eight hours for teenagers aged between 13 to 18. This has not been the case for my son since he was 13 years old. An accurate estimation of his sleep pattern would come close to about seven hours of sleep each day.
Recent research has provided us insights into how sleep-deprivation could lead to permanent cognitive impairments as a result of neuronal death. My son states that he feels like his cognitive performance has decreased in comparison to his early teens. He even claims that his IQ has decreased measurably. He regrets not having slept enough but is realistic in that he is not the only individual who has had or still has this condition. It is not clear if his explanation for the cognitive decrease in performance is warranted as the brain is very complex. Neuronal death occurs every day and is part of a natural process of ageing. Now a more detailed and accurate clarification based on these questions is needed from you.
What is the permanent impact and significance of sleep-deprivation on neuronal death in comparison to the natural process of ageing? Ageing might put the permanent damage of sleep-deprivation in perspective as aging, and thus, neuronal death is unavoidable. Simply put, might sleep-deprivation cause faster ageing of the brain? If so, would the brain of a 20-year-old be similar to a brain of a 30-year-old because of sleep-deprivation? Or is the increased ageing very insignificant? Might the effect of sleep-deprivation have significantly reduced his IQ?
Do adults suffer more or less from neuronal death than teenagers during sleep-deprivation? This puts the impact of sleep deprivation on the brain in perspective as he might sleep better than other adults and recover more steadily in comparison to other adults. Are teenagers more prone to permanent cognitive impairments from sleep-deprivation than adults? Is the damage more easily recoverable during teenage years than in adulthood?
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that his symptoms are not suggestive of cognitive decline due to neuronal cell degeneration. You should know that sleep deprivation may reduce mental performance and lead to anxiety or irritability in teenagers. Still, it is less likely to cause cell death or permanent cognitive decline. The permanent cognitive decline occurs in older adults, whose neurons are more susceptible to oxidative stress. Coming to this point, I recommend consulting with a psychologist for a mental evaluation. Anxiety and lack of communication or self-confidence could be the reason underlying his feeling of cognitive decline. And you should know that adequate treatment of such psychological changes can help improve his performance. Regarding his sleep, I would recommend trying Melatonin 1 to 5 mg at bedtime to improve his sleeping regime.
I hope you will find this information helpful.
We wish you all the best.
Was this answer helpful?
|.. most likely a hormonal problem. It can be male hypogonadism which occurs due to low testosterone levels and has multiple reasons. You need to get your serum testosterone level tested. The standard range for adult men in most laboratories is around... Read full
Can I take liquid Melatonin during pregnancy?.. actually secreted by the placenta during pregnancy and one does not really require an extra dose of it. As you are in just 7th week of pregnancy there are chances that you may have sleeping troubles. You can take liquid Melatonin but not more tha... Read full
My daughter is very sensitive and lazy in all her activities. How to change her behavior?Now she is studying the first year in higher secondary ... Read full
Comprehensive Medical Second Opinion.Submit your Case
How to tackle depression until I meet my psychiatrist?
Query: Hi doctor,I have chronic depression as a result of trauma and abuse. I was taking Wellbutrin. I changed my job and moved to a new place. So, I ran out of the medication. Now, I am experiencing lethargy, fatigue and loss of interest. I am a bit concerned. Please help. Read Full »
How do Melatonin supplements work?
Query: Hello doctor, How do Melatonin supplements work? Does taking Melatonin actually help you fall asleep and stay asleep? Are there any potential side effects or drawbacks to using Melatonin to fall asleep? Are there any health benefits of taking a Melatonin supplement? Is it safe to take Melatonin on ... Read Full »
Is there anything I can do about decompensated heterophoria?
Query: Hello doctor, I have had binocular, horizontal esotropia for two years now, worse on distant gaze. My ophthalmologist diagnosed it to be decompensated heterophoria. Is there anything I can do about it? I spend a lot of time writing and reading on my computer, could that make it worse? Read Full »