Sweet dreams - Americans have dangerous misconceptions about sleep, according to National Sleep Foundation survey

American Demographics, July, 1998 by Shelly Reese

Americans need a wakeup call about the importance of sleep. We harbor some dangerous misconceptions, according to a 1998 national survey by the National Sleep Foundation.

Only 14 percent of Americans have even a vague knowledge about the need for sleep and the consequences of sleep deprivation, according to the foundation. More than 168 million American adults subscribe to potentially dangerous myths about sleep, and some 132 million suffer from sleep problems.

"The survey findings are a source of great concern," says Thomas Roth, director of the Sleep Disorders Research Center at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. "Lack of sleep and sleep problems have serious, often life-threatening, consequences."

Among the prevalent myths are:

* 42 percent believe people need less sleep as they age.

* 41 percent believe raising the volume on the radio will help them stay awake while driving.

* 71 percent believe the body can eventually adjust to night-shift work.

* Half of Americans believe snoring is not harmful, when in fact, it may indicate the presence of sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening disorder.

* Despite the fact that 98 percent of Americans agree that sleep is as important to their health as nutrition and exercise, the average adult sleeps only seven hours a night, and almost one in three sleeps six or fewer hours. The result of all this sleep deprivation is that 37 percent report being so sleepy during the day that it interferes with their activities. Two-thirds report sleeping problems, and 23 percent say they have fallen asleep at the wheel during the past year.

For more information about its 1998 survey, contact the National Sleep Foundation, 729 15th Street, NW, Fourth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; telephone (202) 347-3471 or visit the Web site at http://www.sleepfoundation.org.