Sounds like a strange title doesn't it? Anyone that was a fan of The Three Stooges probably heard this line more than once. It was usually Moe waking up a snoring Curly or Larry and telling them to "Wake up and go to sleep". Moe was the "cranky" one of the group. But there may have been a reason for his attitude. He may have been a victim of sleep deprivation. And without knowing it, you may be one, too.

If you wake up to alarm clock, then by definition you're sleep deprived. In fact almost 50 million Americans don't get enough sleep. In a study done by the National Sleep Foundation in 2005, half of those surveyed said they get a good night's sleep only a few times a week. Of these, 62% are sleepy during the day at least three times a week or less. And many of these are driving or riding while tired.

In 1910, the average nights sleep was nine hours a night. In 2002, that number had dropped to 6.9 hours a night. One might suspect there is a correlation to lifestyles back then (1910) to those of today. One of the biggest changes in today's environment is the television. With more channels and shows to watch, people tend to stay up later. But is that the only thing? Not likely. We live in a fast pace world today. Sometimes our work requires more hours of our time. Social functions such as sports can affect our sleep time. These are just a few examples of why people nowadays tend to get less sleep and can lead to stress.

The major problem with being sleep deprived is that it brings about one of the leading causes of accidents - fatigue. After being awake for 17 to 19 hours then adding alcohol to the equation, a very dangerous situation is create especially if riding a motorcycle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates fatigue causes more than 100,000 accidents annually, including more than 1500 dead and 70,000 injured. Fatigue also affects your health. Sleep deprivation hurts your ability to metabolize glucose, mimicking a pre-diabetic or diabetic condition. Chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It also causes irritability and moodiness, which is a suggested cause of "road rage".

Excessive tiredness can cause impaired memory, speech, and decision-making ability. When a critical decision is needed, lack of sleep can be fatal.

Even the Iron Butt Association recognizes the danger. They have a saying "drugs and other stimulants do not work! If you need NoDoz or other drugs to stay alert, it's time to stop for the day and get some serious rest." Caffeine and alcohol, incidentally, are the two most common causes of sleeping problems. Antihistamines can cause problems operating a vehicle as well, even the supposedly non-sedating type.

Poor sleep is the most common cause of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). In OSA, the tongue, soft palate, or other oral structures obstruct the airway, interrupting sleep. People with OSA often snore, and may be heard to stop breathing on occasion. When this happens, you partially or completely wake up, preventing you from reaching the deeper stages of sleep.

When the airway gets obstructed, there is a surge of adrenaline. This results in higher blood pressure, which can contribute to atherosclerosis and heart disease. If left untreated, severe sleep apnea triples your risk of a heart attack, increases your cholesterol level, and is associated with obesity and an increase in your visceral fat.

Take the quiz below and see how you rate in regards to daytime sleepiness. Score: none = 0, slight = 1, moderate = 2, or high = 3 for the chances you'll doze off in each of these situations.

1. Sitting and reading

2. Watching TV

3. Sitting inactive in a public place, such as a theatre of meeting

4. As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break

5. Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit

6. Sitting and talking with someone

7. Sitting quietly after lunch without alcohol

8. In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic

A score of 10 or more indicates you've got sleepiness problems. A score of 18 indicates severe sleepiness, so make an appointment to see your doctor (just don't fall asleep on your way there).

(Facts and figures based on article "Medical Motorcycling" by Dr. Flash Gordon)

Collen Campbell
Asst. District Educator
GWRRA - Region H
Texas District
Master #4639