What Happens to the Body When It's Sleep-Deprived?

Last updated 1 year ago

Almost everyone has experienced the drawbacks of losing sleep at one time or another. Grogginess, irritability, and an inability to concentrate are well-known consequences of sleep loss. However, mounting scientific evidence shows that sleep loss affects more than just an individual’s mood and level of coffee consumption; sleep deprivation can have damaging, long-term effects on the human body and mind, such as:

Obesity:
Recent studies have found that America’s obesity epidemic is being driven in part by sleep loss. A large study analyzed a sample of nearly 10,000 adults between 32 to 49 years old and found that the subjects getting under seven hours of sleep a night were significantly more likely to be obese. Sleep doctors are suggesting that the hormones that regulate appetite are disrupted due to patients not getting enough healthy sleep.
Stroke and Heart Disease:
Researchers have found an alarming link between sleep deprivation and an increased risk of stroke and heart disease. Chronic short sleep, defined as fewer than six hours a night for more than a month, releases hormones and chemicals in the body that are associated with heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. However, the link between the chemicals and these health-damaging conditions is not yet fully understood.
Depression:
Insomnia and depression have been linked for quite some time, but researchers are now finding that insomnia may actually cause depression, not just present as one of its symptoms. When the restorative state of sleep is interrupted, your mood can plummet, which exacerbates depression and prevents sleep, establishing a vicious cycle.

Comfort Sleep in Ocean County, New Jersey is dedicated to providing expert care for all manners of sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, circadian rhythm disorder, and snoring. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at (732) 455-3030.