What Insomnia Can Do to Your Mind and Body

One of the most common health problems of modernity is insomnia—or, how it is also often called,
sleep deprivation. Its prevalence is caused by the fact that it, firstly, accompanies a large number of mental
conditions (starting from regular anxiety and/or frustration, and ending up with depression, obsessive-
compulsive disorder, and so on), and secondly, by a number of environmental factors, such as noise pollution.
Regardless of the reasons causing it, insomnia is a dangerous condition, being a cause of a wide range of health
problems, both mental and physical.
Insomnia greatly affects our cognitive and perceptual abilities in a negative way. Matthew Walker,
director of the Sleep and Neuroimaging Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, conducted
research revealing insomnia’s influence on amygdala—the part of brain responsible for getting the body
prepared for danger. The study revealed that the lack or absence of sleep greatly inhibits the amygdala’s
functionality, as well obstructs logical reasoning and basic reflexes, such as the “fight or flight” reflex, memory
capacity, and speech capabilities. This is not to mention irritability, worsened concentration, and the danger to
fall asleep while driving.Widely known are also some other psychological effects of continuous sleep
deprivation, such as the loss of concentration, deceptions of perception, thinking integrity violation,
hallucinations, and irreversible psychological and neurological damage.
Insomnia affects not only the mind, but also the body in ways no less devastating; specifically,
according to a study conducted by the University of Chicago, sleep deprivation is closely connected to the
reduced control of blood-sugar levels. This means the lack of sleep can cause the increased risks of diabetes;
and the absence of sleep possesses even greater destructive potential. Insomnia (of any sub type) can also lead
to early death. The highest risk of early death was observed among individuals with the chronic early-
awakening type of insomnia, as well as among those who experienced difficulties with sleep maintenance
(meaning these people had problems with the continuity and integrity of sleep, as well as with getting back to
sleep once awoken).
As it can be seen, insomnia, or sleep deprivation, is a dangerous condition leading to a wide range of
health problems. For instance, prolonged periods of sleep deprivation obstruct cognitive and perceptual
functions. It also increases the chances of developing diabetes, cardio-vascular problems, and in general, can
lead to early death. Therefore, if one faces such a problem as insomnia, he or she should do their best to solve it
as quickly as possible.
adapted from: “Chronic Insomnia’s Dangerous Side-Effects.” Newsweek. Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2009. Web. 03 Nov. 2016.
A. Answer the following questions based on the text.(SCORE80)
1. What is the most common health problem faced by modern human?
Answer: Insomnia is the most common health problem in modern human
2. How many factors cause Insomnia? Mention.
Answer:
Factors cause insomnia:
a. Mental condition (regular anxiety and/or frustration, and ending up with depression, obsessive-
compulsive disorder, and etc).
b. Environmental factors (noise pollution)
3. Why is insomnia considered dangerous condition to human?
Answer: because insomnia being a cause of a wide range of health problems, both mental and
physical.
4. What is meant by amygdala?
Answer: the amygdala is the part of brain responsible for getting the body prepared for danger. The function of
amygdala are obstructs logical reasoning and basic reflexes, such as the “fight or flight” reflex, memory
capacity, and speech capabilities.
5. How does Insomnia affect our cognitive and perceptual abilities?
6. What is the relation between Insomnia and diabetes?
Answer: sleep deprivation is closely connected to the reduced control of blood-sugar levels. This
means the lack of sleep can cause the increased risks of diabetes; and the absence of sleep possesses
even greater destructive potential
7. What are the psychological effects of sleep deprivation?
Answer: Psychological effects of sleep deprivation are: loss of concentration, deceptions of
perception, thinking integrity violation, hallucinations, and irreversible psychological and neurological
damage.
8. What is the greater effect of Insomnia to human? How does it work?
Answer: The greater effect of insomnia to human is early death. The highest risk of early death was
observed among individuals with the chronic early-awakening type of insomnia, as well as among
those who experienced difficulties with sleep maintenance (meaning these people had problems with
the continuity and integrity of sleep, as well as with getting back to sleep once awoken).

B.Complete the following paragraph using appropriate “verbs” provided in the box. (SCORE20)
take listen record wrap
press hit release
To begin blood pressure measurement, use a properly sized blood pressure cuff. First, the length of the cuff's
bladder should be at least equal to 80% of the circumference of the upper arm. Second, (1) .......the cuff around
the upper arm with the cuff's lower edge one inch above the antecubital fossa. Third, lightly(2)....... the
stethoscope's bell over the brachial artery just below the cuff's edge. Some health care workers have difficulty
using the bell in the antecubital fossa, so it is best to use the bell or the diaphragm to measure the blood
pressure. Fourth, rapidly inflate the cuff to 180mmHg. (3) ....... air from the cuff at a moderate rate (3mm/sec).
Fifth, (4) .......with the stethoscope and simultaneously observe the sphygmomanometer. The first knocking
sound (Korotkoff) is the subject's systolic pressure. When the knocking sound disappears, that is the diastolic
pressure (such as 120/80). Sixth, (5) ........ the pressure in both arms and note the difference; also record the
subject's position (supine), which arm was used, and the cuff size (small, standard or large adult cuff). The last,
If the subject's pressure is elevated, measure blood pressure two additional times, waiting a few minutes
between measurements.
~Good luck