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| Sleep |
There are certain characteristics that show uniqueness in the eyes, mouth and skin that give cues about sleep loss.
Hanging eyelids, red and swollen eyes, dark circles around the eyes, paler skin, wrinkles and fine lines, droopy mouth corners and a look of sadness are some of the characteristic facial characteristics shown in those with sleep deprivation.
"Since faces contain a lot of information on which humans base their interactions with each other, how fatigued a person appears may affect how others behave toward them," said Tina Sundelin, MSc, lead author and doctoral student in the department of psychology at Stockholm University in Stockholm, Sweden. "This is relevant not only for private social interactions, but also official ones such as with health care professionals and in public safety."
This new information can help guide health professionals to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders that can lead to other physical health problems. For example, loss of sleep impacts mortality, morbidity, performance, accidents, injuries, emotional well being and quality of life. Obesity and hypertension can also occur among those with chronic sleep disorders
According to NCBI sources there are approximately 90 different sleep disorders that can lead to hypertension, diabetes, heart attack, depression and stroke and other health maladies. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19961/
About 30% or 50 to 70 million adults complain of having trouble sleeping. So this newest research allows medical professionals additional insight into a common complaint that can lead to closer observation of a person’s face as insight into the condition of health.
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Marsha Hunt is a free-lance writer and retired nurse who enjoys writing about issues related to health and other concerns that impact people in ways that affect their ordinary lives.
