According to a new study, one in five U.S. adults complains of excessive fatigue. And while some people think they're sleeping for a certain amount of time, that's not necessarily the case.

With the help of a sleep lab, NEWS9's Maggie Ruper conducted a test using a sleep coach device. The test revealed it took 31 minutes for her to fall asleep and she woke up three times during the night. But, she didn't remember waking up and thought she had gotten eight or nine hours of sleep. In reality, she slept just under seven hours.

With more tired people, researchers said the issue is becoming a public safety concern. In Kentucky, a man recently claimed he killed his wife because he overdosed on caffeine. Also this year, a Jet Blue flight attendant deployed an emergency chute and slid into a media frenzy. The common link: both men said they were sleep deprived.

Rosalia Kijanka, a sleep specialist at Trinity Health System, said dozing while driving is like driving drunk.

"Even if it's a matter of seconds, those little microbursts of sleep can be detrimental to yourself and whoever else happens to be in your way if you would fall asleep," Kijanka said.

Experts said people who drink a lot of caffeine or who are stressed may not sleep as deeply. Other sleep stealers that aren't as obvious are alcohol consumption, exercising too close to bedtime, bright lights from a TV or laptop and even chocolate.