Lauren Bertini

What really happens when we pull all-nighters?

Pulling an all-nighter before a big exam may seem harmless, but missing that much sleep may take a heavier toll on your body than you might think. Typically, students who do not get the suggested eight to eight-and-a-half hours of sleep will suffer from what the National Institutes of Health calls "problem sleepiness." As research has shown and students can attest, this causes a loss of focus and concentration, impairs memory, affects work and school performance and can even lead to illness. Students may be able to tolerate these temporary effects, but a recent US News & World Report article also said in the latest sleep studies that obesity and diabetes can be blamed on a lack of sleep. &nbsp Table Sleep Deprivation Chart Sleep loss also could be caused by sleeping disorders.