Health Library  Categories > Sleep Disorders > Fighting fatigue
Is lack of sleep taking a toll on your health?  How many hours
of sleep did you get last night? If it was less than eight, you
may be one of the 47 million adults suffering from sleep
deprivation, a serious medical condition that can accelerate the
aging process. Until recently, many health professionals didn’t
take the lack of sleep seriously. But new research proves that
not getting enough “beauty rest” in-creases the risk of several
health problems. Other symptoms interfere with memory, energy
levels, physical abilities and emotional mood.  So, what’s
normal? According to the National Commission on Sleep Disorders,
most of us need eight to nine hours’ slumber a night (though
some people can survive on four or five). How much sleep you
need tends to change with age. Two-year-olds, for example,
should get nine to 13 hours; 10-year-olds should get 10 to 11
hours; and 16- to 65-year-olds need six to nine. For those over
65, six to eight is adequa