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Natural short sleeper

Definition

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.

Alternative Names

Sleep - natural short sleeper

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.

Review Date: 5/9/2010
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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