Sleep Disorder Experts Fear Teens Safety As New School Year Begins

Too many Teens may be sleepy behind their desks- and behind the wheel.

A North Carolina state study found that drivers age 25 and younger cause more than one-half of fall asleep auto crashes. During an interview on Health Matters, hosted by Dr. Shoshana Bennet on Voice America.com, Robert E Peterson RPSGT brought out some frightening facts about teenagers and sleep as the school year begins.
Citing a recent article by the National Sleep Foundation ' TOO MANY TEENS MAY BE SLEEPY BEHIND THEIR DESKS- AND BEHIND THE WHEEL" Mr. Peterson explained that the teens biological clock is naturally set to go to bed and sleep later.

Mr. Peterson quoted Richard L. Gelula, executive director of the NSF, " A teens life and his/her ability to learn can be affected by the timing of that first morning school bell. Contrary to many beliefs, the early morning sleepiness teens experience isn't because their lazy. They are sleep deprived, but it isn't necessarily parties, video games and other activities keeping them awake at night. It's their biological clocks."

Mr.Peterson continued to say that most teens need an average of 9.25 hours of sleep each night. But the sleep patterns of adolescents are affected by a phase delay, a natural tendency toward going to sleep and awakening later. A 1998 study showed that 40% of teens go to bed after 11:00 p.m. on school nights, and one-fourth sleep less than 6.5 hours on school nights.

A troubling consequence of sleep deprivation at any age is drowsy driving. But for teens, their sleep deprivation and inexperience behind the wheel can make for a particularly lethal combination.

Not Just Teens

Mr. Peterson went on to say that sleep disorders and poor sleep hygiene effect kids at early ages as well. The early wake up time for most children is a major concern to sleep disorder experts. Government and Health officials are trying to get school start times pushed later.

40 Million Americans Are Chronically Ill with various Sleep Disorders

Peterson laments the lack of sleep disorder awareness in society. The vast majority of physicians do not inquire of their patient's sleep. Millions are treated for unrelated illnesses when they have a undiagnosed sleep disorder.