Natural short sleeper
A natural short sleeper is someone who sleeps a lot less in a 24-hour period than is expected for people of the same age, without being abnormally sleepy.
Causes
Although each person's need for sleep varies, the typical adult needs an average of 7 - 9 hours of sleep each night. Short sleepers sleep less than 75% of what is normal for their age.
Natural short sleepers are different from people who chronically do not get enough sleep because of work or family demands, or who have medical conditions that disrupt sleep.
Symptoms
Natural short sleepers are not excessively tired or sleepy during the day.
Treatment
No specific treatment is needed.
Alternative Names
Sleep - natural short sleeper
Update Date: 5/9/2012
Reviewed by: Andrew Schriber, MD, FCCP, Specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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