Whether it's from a sleep disorder, stress over that big work project, those pesky pollen allergies, or the joy of becoming a new mom (with a baby who never stops screaming!), the dangers that arise from not getting enough sleep are serious. Sleep deprivation can create major problems for your health - both mentally and physically.

If you think sleep is the one area where you can cut back and free up more time to get things done during the day, think again. Sleep is the time when your body recovers from the day you've just gone through and prepares for the day ahead.

However, it may take some time before you even realize you have a sleep deprivation problem! Sure, you may feel fatigued or drowsy, but you rationalize it by telling yourself that you're just busy and that it's no big deal. Have another cup of coffee and move on, right?

Unfortunately, that can't last forever. At some point, your physical and mental health are going to suffer. If you don't get enough sleep - and not just a quick doze here and there, but restorative sleep that helps your body re-charge its batteries - you'll wind up with a legitimate medical problem that requires a trip to the doctor.

Oh sure, you know how dangerous it can be to do things like drive a car when you're drowsy. But missing out on sleep can lead to other dangers that aren't so obvious, like:

- Weight gain.

When you get restorative sleep, your hormone levels have a chance to regulate themselves. But when you don't get enough sleep, your hormones can get out of whack. As a result, you may wind up hungrier than ever before - and packing on the pounds like never before!

- Emotional changes - like depression, irritability, and impatience.

You may suddenly have drastic mood swings or an inability to deal with other people, and it's all related to the sleep you're not getting!

- Breakdowns in your immune system.

Notice that you're getting a lot more colds than usual or that you seem to catch every bug that comes through the office? It could be due to your lack of sleep! After all, when you don't get enough sleep, your immune system doesn't get a change to re-charge its batteries either!

Bottom line - sleep isn't a luxury. Instead, it needs to be treated with the same respect as your other healthcare issues. If you keep ignoring your sleep problems, the results may be devastating for you and the people around you!