According to the American Sleep Association, more than 35% of adult Americans report getting less than seven hours of sleep a day. Up to 70 million adults in the US have a sleep disorder, insomnia being the most frequent one. The demands of modern society have indeed shortened the time we have for rest. Some people give up on their recommended sleep dose to be able to invest that time in their family, career, and socializing. However, before you contemplate going further down that road, read on to learn what kind of health issues can stem from a lack of sleep.
Disrupted central nervous system
When you don’t get enough sleep, the way your body processes information gets disrupted. This means your brain may become exhausted and unable to perform. Consequences you can feel after just one or a few days of sleep deprivation are problems with focus or with learning new things and poor hand-eye coordination, which can lead to various accidents. Lack of sleep negatively affects your emotional state, making you more impatient, anxious, and prone to mood swings. If sleep deprivation becomes chronic, it can trigger hallucinations, mood disorders, and other psychological issues.
Chronic pain
We often think that back pain causes poor sleep, but we rarely stop to think whether it could be the other way around as well.
There is now a growing body of evidence that suggests that sleep duration affects spine health. Both too much and too little sleep can potentially cause back pain. The reason behind this is that several biological processes that take place during sleep have an impact on spine health. These are:
– tissue regeneration
– production of compounds that reduce inflammation
– production of important hormones
– recuperating the body from the day’s activities.
Choosing the best mattress you can find can be the solution for both poor sleep and back pain, regardless of what the root of your problem is.
Weakened immune system
While you sleep, your immune system produces protective substances, such as cytokines and antibodies. They are used to combat outside invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Sleep deprivation disrupts this process and prevents your immune system from building “a fortress” around your health. This makes you more exposed to various illnesses and prolongs recovery. When sleep deprivation is chronic, you are at a higher risk of developing chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Risk factor for obesity
Sleep deprivation puts you at risk of becoming overweight because it affects the hormones that control the feelings of hunger and fullness. Without enough sleep, your brain will raise the levels of appetite-stimulating hormones instead of those that promote the feeling of fullness.
Also, when you’re not getting enough sleep, you will hardly have enough strength to work out. Reduced physical activity is another thing that can lead to weight gain.
Vulnerability to respiratory infections
Similar to back pain and sleep, the relationship between respiratory problems and sleep deprivation goes both ways. Sleep apnea, which is a nighttime breathing disorder, entails interrupted, low-quality sleep. On the other hand, when you wake up frequently during the night and you are sleep-deprived, you become more vulnerable to respiratory infections. This can also make any existing respiratory conditions worse.
Negative impact on the cardiovascular system
We’ve already mentioned the higher risk of developing heart disease. However, the entire cardiovascular system might be at risk when you don’t get enough sleep. Sleep has a role in processes that affect your blood pressure, inflammation levels, and blood sugar. It also has a vital role in the body’s ability to heal and repair the blood vessels and heart.
Disrupted hormone production
Just as with many other processes, hormone production is also dependent on sleep. For example, you need at least three hours of uninterrupted sleep for optimal testosterone production. This is especially important for children and adolescents because they are developing muscle mass and growing.
Final thoughts
If you are sleep-deprived, first make sleep your priority and try your best to improve your sleeping habits. If the roots of your problem are deeper than your lifestyle, your doctor can order a sleep study to diagnose a sleep disorder and begin treatment.
