The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation
The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation
Just one week of insufficient sleep alters the activity of our genes, which control our response to stress, immunity, inflammation and overall health. Here are the hidden health hazards caused by sleep deprivation.
- Higher Levels of Anxiety
Lack of sleep amplifies the brain’s anticipatory reactions, raising overall anxiety levels. - Higher Levels of Depression
Lack of sleep causes a decrease in neurotransmitters which regulate mood. - Impaired Cognition
Excessive sleepiness impairs memory and the ability to think and process information. - Disruption of Circadian Rhythm (natural Time Clock)
Leading to poor white blood cell health, which weakens our physical stress response. - Higher Risk of Stroke
Lack of sleep negatively affects cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of restricting blood flow to the brain. - Higher Risk of Hypertension
Sleeping between 5 and 6 hours a night increases the risk of having high blood pressure. - Higher Risk of Heart Disease
When we sleep our blood pressure drops. Not experiencing this nightly drop in pressure is a risk factor for heart disease. - Increased Risk of Breast Cancer
Late night exposure to light is linked to reduced melatonin production, which disrupts estrogen production. Too much estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer. - Higher Risk of Diabetes
Lack of sleep triggers our stress response, leading to the release of the stress hormones cortisol and norepenephrine, which are associated with insulin resistance - Unhealthy Cravings
Sleep helps maintain a healthy balance of the hormones that make you feel hungry (ghrelin) or full (leptin). Lack of sleep causes gherin levels to increase and leptin to decrease. - Higher Risk of Injury
Interesting Facts
- Nearly 40% of adults fall asleep during the day without meaning to at least ONCE A MONTH
- 60 million Americans have Chronic Sleep Disorders like Sleep Apnea, Periodic Limb Movement, Narcolepsy, Restless Legs Syndrome, Insomnia e.t.c.
