What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep
We all know that sleep is important.
But did you know how many ways lack of sleep can impact your health?
Following is a list of some risk factors associated with lack of sleep.
The list might be a little scary if sleep is not ideal for you.
However, it’s better to be forewarned and to address sleep problems before these risk factors turn into reality!
And there is good news — if you are experiencing any of the issues below, a great first step in resolving them is to fix your sleep!
Specific diseases influenced by lack of sleep:
Obesity and type 2 diabetes
Cancer, possibly due to disrupted melatonin production; melatonin inhibits growth of cancer cells
Osteoporosis and lower bone mineral density
Susceptibility to stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal diseases such as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and colorectal cancer
Alzheimer's Disease; associated with lack of adequate sleep over decades prior to the onset of the disease, as well as other factors such as toxicity and gut health.
General health issues related to lack of sleep:
Pain-related conditions; sleep deprivation can lower the pain threshold in healthy adults and also result in chronic pain
Premature aging of the skin
Risk of dying from any cause is significantly higher in people with chronic insomnia
Slowed reaction time and increased risk of accident; this shows up especially in motor vehicle accidents associated with drowsy driving.
Mental health and wellbeing issues affected by lack of sleep:
Poor emotional regulation, as sleep regulates emotions
Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Poor memory and ability to learn, as memory is consolidated during sleep
Lower productivity, performance and creativity, all of which are enhanced by adequate sleep
Low sexual function due to impaired testosterone levels associated with lack of sleep in both men and women.
An underlying reason for these many different risk factors is how our circadian rhythms regulate everything happening in our body. Circadian rhythms are the 24-hour cycle, including sleep and wakefulness, that drive hormones and other physiological changes in the body.
Some key processes linking to lack of sleep include immune function, inflammation, and gut bacteria.
Immune function: during sleep the immune system is strengthening its "memory" of pathogens and performing other functions.
Inflammation: Lack of sleep raises levels of inflammation. This natural protective response can cause harm when it happens too often or at the wrong times. The immune system then attacks the cells of the body rather than foreign invaders. If this becomes chronic, it can result in autoimmune disorders, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases.
Gut bacteria: are essential to general health and wellbeing. Gut bacteria health is related to circadian rhythm and is affected by lack of sleep.
Finally, neurological health is intimately connected with sleep.
During sleep the brain literally washes toxins out of the brain through the glymphatic system. Without this process, toxins remain in the brain and damage neurons — our brain cells. Additionally, during sleep, the brain goes through a series of unique brain-wave patterns, which serve to maintain proper mental functioning.
Bottom line — protect your sleep!
If your sleep is not what it should be, you can fix it!