What happens to your body when you don't sleep?
I pulled an all-nighter studying and by 4am I was seeing things. What actually happens when you stay awake for a long time? Can you die from not sleeping? I've heard about people dying after staying awake for 11 days. How long is it safe to go without sleep? Why do we even need sleep — what does it do for the body?
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3 Answers
I'd get a second opinion if something doesn't sit right with you. Doctors are human and they make mistakes too. Nobody knows your own body better than you do. If your gut says something is wrong, keep pushing until you get answers.
Talk to a pharmacist — they're an underrated resource and they're free to talk to. They know a ton about medications and interactions and can tell you whether something is worth a doctor visit or whether an over-the-counter remedy will do.
I work in healthcare and see this question frequently. The short answer is that individual results vary enormously. What works for one person might not work for another. The best approach is to work with your doctor to find what's right for your specific situation.
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