In this blog article, you will find out about the possible health problems that can arise from lack of sleep. Find out how much sleep a person should be getting each night and what are some of the negative effects that can come with not getting enough sleep.
What is the effect of lack of sleep on our health?
There are a number of diseases that can be caused by lack of sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, chronic sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain, increased blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even death. Interestingly enough, these effects are not just seen in adults- sleep deprivation in children can also have serious consequences.
Here are a few examples of diseases and their associated symptoms that can be caused by lack of sleep:
1) Obesity: A study published in The Lancet found that people who slept for less than six hours per night were more likely to be obese than those who slept for seven or more hours. Researchers believe that this is because insufficient sleep leads to an increase in the hormone ghrelin, which stimulates appetite.
2) Depression: People who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to experience depression. According to the National Sleep Foundation, insufficient sleep may lead to a decrease in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation.
3) Gum Disease: Lack of sleep can cause gum disease because it increases the amount of bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria causes tooth decay and other oral problems.
4) Asthma: Sleep apnea, which is when you stop breathing during sleep, can cause asthma. This is because the heart rate goes up while you are asleep and in between breaths.
5) Autoimmune disorders: Inadequate sleep can lead to an increase in certain inflammatory cytokines, which cause the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues.
6) Breast cancer: A recent study found that women who slept less than five hours a night were 3.2 times more likely to develop advanced breast cancer compared with those who slept seven or more hours daily.
7) Chronic pain: Insufficient sleep has been shown to decrease pain tolerance and affect how quickly your body recovers from injuries or illnesses It also reduces pain perception.
8) Heart attacks: Studies have shown that sleeping fewer than six hours a night increases the risk of death from heart attacks by 50 percent.
9) Hunger: People who don’t sleep enough are hungrier at mealtimes, and they’re more likely to overeat.
10) Mental illness: Poor sleep patterns have been linked with depression, schizophrenia and other mental-health issues.
11) Obesity: Too little or too much sleep can increase your risk of obesity, with both conditions having a negative impact on your overall health.
Read More: Ayurvedic Medicine Of Sleep Disorder – Ashwagandha Churna And Cannabis Oil
What are the chronic diseases that can be caused by lack of sleep?
There are a number of chronic diseases that can be caused by lack of sleep. These diseases include obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease.
How can we reduce disease and improve our overall health?
In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Here are five diseases that can be caused by lack of sleep.
- Obesity: People who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to be obese. Studies have found that people who sleep fewer than six hours a night are twice as likely to be obese as those who get seven or more hours of sleep. Adequate sleep is essential for weight loss because it helps you regulate your appetite and eat fewer calories.
- Heart Disease: People who don’t get enough sleep are at a higher risk for heart disease. In fact, research shows that people who slept less than six hours a night were nearly three times as likely to have a heart attack as those who got the recommended eight hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep causes inflammation in the blood vessels, which is one factor that increases your risk for heart disease.
- Diabetes: People who don’t get enough sleep are also at risk for diabetes. Insulin resistance is one hallmark of diabetes, and studies have found that people who slept less than seven hours a night were nearly twice as likely to develop diabetes over the next four years as those who got at least eight hours of sleep.
- High Blood Pressure: Lack of sleep is also associated with high blood pressure. Research has found that sleeping fewer than six hours per night was associated with a 30 percent increased risk for hypertension, compared to sleeping more than nine hours per night.
- Inflammation: People who don’t get enough sleep report higher levels of inflammation in their body, and sleep deprivation can increase the activity of inflammatory molecules in your body called cytokines. Cytokines are important for signaling your immune system in times of stress and infection, but they can cause inflammation when they accumulate in the body.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Studies have found that people who sleep less than seven hours a night are up to 10 times more likely to die from heart disease than those who get at least eight hours of sleep.
- Depression: People who don’t get enough sleep in the short or long term are three times as likely to experience depression, which puts them at higher risk for suicide and subsequent premature death.
Conclusion
Lack of sleep can have a number of devastating consequences, not the least of which is an increased risk for diseases like cancer and heart disease. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body goes into “wakeful mode” which leaves you more susceptible to stress and injury. Not getting the recommended amount of sleep also leads to mood problems, poor decision-making abilities, and impaired cognitive function. If you are feeling rundown and struggle to stay awake during the day, it might be worth considering why you aren’t getting enough rest. Check out our article on how to get more sleep for tips on improving your sleeping habits.
