Can A Person Really Die From Lack Of Sleep?

Indeed they can! A person will die from total lack of sleep sooner than starvation. Death will occur about 10 days without sleep whilst starvation will take a few weeks. Going without sleep for any length of time causes long and short-term effects. People quickly lose the ability to act and think coherently. Although it leave no physical marks, the psychological affects of sleep deprivation are phenomenal.
Many prisoners of war were tortured using methods of sleep deprivation and although a person initially thinks that this form of torture is nothing more than feeling tired, if a person goes for more than three days without any sleep at all, they lose orientation in place and time, hallucinations start and eventually the body cannot cope and begins to break down.
The average human body requires between seven and eight hours of sleep every night. People over 60 can get away with between five and six hours. This enables the body to repair and refresh itself in order to start the new day. If you try to burn the candle at both ends and don't get enough sleep, it will affect everything that you do. Mistakes can be made, accidents can happen and there is evidence of short-term memory.

I'm not so sure, but the first one cannot be true because i haven't slept in around 10 days before. The second one is definitely correct because you definitely hallucinate, and you will have a short term memory loss..

Well, i should have died hours ago.   I am now in my 260th hour without sleep.  This is the only real way to get an answer, a subject under the circumstance.. Maybe? I would say most of what you have read is true.  I have experienced hallucinations since my late 60's hour.  Cognition is significantly reduced, as i have had to think for at least a minute for each word written here, when usually i could have finished this by now. 40 wpm, and off my head. My brain is so dysfunctional that i need to hunt and peck when i type.  Another thing,   you lose time.  I have had to look at the date every day now, every day seems like 3.   Now, to the physical part.  Stress is definitely elevated.  My nervous system feels like it would .5 seconds from impact by a speeding train! It ranges from a cold feeling in my whole body, like after you cut circulation off somewhere.  Numb.  I am not sure due to medical circumstances if the loss of use to my foot in one certain direction, is from the nerves in my back, or from the lack of sleep. I can say that i havent had to use pain meds since my 70th hour.. Which is strange and probably one of the reasons why i cant sleep.  The main reason is the doctor changed my prescription from 6 mg of xanax a day, to 8 mg of valium. Then none for all of my hours awake now.. So, if you are a doctor, THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT WAY!  I have an appointment in 30 more hours, and it is his responsibility.  6mg of xanax for over 2 years now, then to cut off in just one month? No. During my regular dosage of 2mg every 6 hr of valium, i did not have seizures.   But i also did not sleep...so i would skip a few days then take a couple day dose in two 12hr doses, sleep for 6 hr then repeat.  That was last month.  Another big effect is weight loss. I have lost about 20 lbs in the last month.  I am having kidney pains also.  I think i am starting to feel like i can not tell if i am dreaming what i am thinking, or is it real? Phase of this.  I def. Could see someone going crazy from this. Serious mental damage at this hour. Ill keep you posted. Mark. Hr 262

Depends what you mean by lack of sleep. Everyone else replied in the context that the person did not sleep at all. But I think you meant, still having sleep, but not as much as necessary for the body to regenerate? I would say that lack of sleep is known to reduce a persons immunity, which as we all know has the consequence of being more susceptible to illness or disease. Which therefore could possibly kill you... Eventually. Kind of like you die from dehydration, not diarrhea.

Looks like we'll find out before long. Sure won't take anymore serequel, makes you feel like your body is in a coffin and a 747 jet in your head