Are you going to bed early but still waking up feeling groggy or unrested? You might be sleep deprived. A few hours of sleep loss each night can impact every aspect of your daily life, and the effects go beyond daytime drowsiness. It can be more serious than you think!
Studies have shown that chronic sleep deprivation can lead to a range of health conditions, potentially shortening your life expectancy.
Effects of sleep deprivation
Cardiovascular diseases
Growing evidence suggests that insufficient sleep is linked to an increased risk for high blood pressure and heart attacks. In the 1980s, many Japanese workers died from “karoshi” which translates to “death from overwork”, primarily caused by heart attacks and strokes due to stress and sleep deprivation.
Obesity
When you fail to get adequate sleep, your body produces less leptin, the hormone that suppresses appetite, and more ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates it. This imbalance can lead to increased cravings for food. Additionally, the fatigue from insufficient sleep may leave you too tired to burn off the extra calories you consume. As a result, weight gain becomes more likely, increasing the risk of obesity.
Diabetes
Chronic sleep scarcity also increases the risk of developing diabetes, particularly if you are obese and have a family history of the condition. When you’re sleep-deprived, your body produces higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to insulin resistance. This makes your body less effective at regulating blood sugar, increasing your vulnerability to diabetes.
Accidents and injuries
Lack of sleep can interfere with your cognitive abilities and eventually cause reduced concentration, impaired judgement, decreased creativity and increase the likelihood of making mistakes. This not only affects your personal well-being but also poses a danger to others. Sleep deprivation increases the risk of accidents, injuries, or even fatalities—whether on the road, at work, or at home.