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Sleep Deprivation Affects Memory And Ability To Learn

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Dr. Lisa Wolfe is a sleep physician who values every opportunity to be able to make a difference in women's lives at a critical time. Women who are sleep deprived can experience serious problems with their memories and with learning new things.

Dr. Wolfe is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Northwestern University. She is also a member of the Center for Sleep and Circadian Biology.

(Transcribed from video interview)

Dr. Wolfe:
Hi, I am Lisa Wolfe. I am a pulmonary critical care physician. I am also a sleep physician, and I am a member of the Center for Sleep and Circadian Biology at Northwestern University.

I started off life as a pulmonologist and an intensive care unit physician, and I have to say, I love practicing sleep medicine because it gives me an opportunity to get involved in women’s lives at a point where they can make health choices that make a difference. And I love being able to be part of the preventative health process.

We know that memory is impaired from sleep loss. If you take someone who has a wonderful memory and you intentionally sleep deprive them, we find that, not only do they have trouble learning new things and performing new tasks, but they also have some difficulty recalling things that they have been trying to learn during that period of time that they were sleep deprived.

About Dr. Lisa Wolfe, M.D.:
Dr. Lisa Wolfe, M.D., earned her medical degree from Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health. She completed her residency and her fellowship at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Wolfe is board certified in pulmonary disease, critical care medicine and sleep medicine.

Visit Dr. Wolfe at https://www.nmff.org/findPhysician/physician.asp?id=G86495

Video:
https://www.empowher.com/sleep-disorders/content/sleep-deprivation-how-does-it-affect-womans-memory-dr-wolfe-video

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Jody Smith
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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