Negative Effects of Insomnia

Even with all the long years of research and study, it remains unclear why the human body needs sleep. But one thing is for sure: if you don’t get the recommended eight hours of sleep every night, it will have devastating effects on your health. Here are some of the negative effects of long-term insomnia:

Decreased Fertility

Sleep disorders are found to have distressing effects on people who are trying to conceive, and it is a condition that affects men and women alike. The region of the brain responsible for controlling circadian rhythms is also in charge of regulating the release of reproductive hormones.  

Getting less than seven hours of sleep regularly may result in reduced levels of testosterone in men as well as the hormones that activate ovulation in women. These can conception more challenging. 

Anxiety and Depression

Many people are irritable if they didn’t sleep well the night before, but long-term sleep deprivation is also associated with a more general loss of motivation and clinical depression.

Meanwhile, patients suffering from depression usually have irregular sleep schedules. The hormone melatonin regulates both mood regulation and sleep cycles. In fact, lower melatonin levels are usually observed in people with insomnia and those suffering from depression.

Panic attacks and anxiety are also common reactions for people who struggle with chronic sleep deprivation and deficiency. They have been proven to show lower tolerance even for mild stressors in their everyday life. Similar to depression, it can sometimes be tricky to understand what really came first, if it is the sleep disorder followed by anxiety or the other way around. 

Diabetes

• It is still not enough to get only five hours of sleep at night.
• Studies have revealed that sleep deprivation may also disrupt how the body processes glucose that serves as fuel for cells as well as the insulin amount produced by the body.
• It is the reason why it is regarded as a critical risk factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. 

Flawed Brain Function

Have you ever had a single restless night and noticed how you experienced a lack of focus, a short temper, fatigue, and mental fog the next day? if the brain doesn’t get enough rest over an extended time, it can lead to a drastic decrease in the mental faculties. 

Everyone knows that sufficient sleep is important for people to learn, concentrate, and feel sharp. It also affects problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to make decisions and regulate emotions. People who are deprived of sleep also experience issues with motor skills, reflexes, and balance. As a result, it might increase their risks of injuring themselves. Just so you know, drowsiness is one of the major factors in many car accidents. 

Stroke and Heart Attack 

Sleep deficiency and insomnia can cause a greater risk of deadly cardiovascular issues like stroke and heart attacks. 

Researchers and doctors alike believe it is because insufficient sleep might disrupt the regions of the brain controlling the circulatory system or lead to inflammation that increases the chances of blood clot development. 

Hypertension

Sleeping for less than 5 to 6 hours per night is also associated with increased risks of hypertension. Since sleep helps your body regulate hormones responsible for causing stress, inadequate rest can increase the stress on the person’s body. 

Long-term insomnia and sleep deprivation are also linked with inflammation, higher heart rate, and increased blood pressure. All of these can make your heart at risk of unnecessary strain. 

Immune System Deficiency

Just like other parts of the body, your immune system will perform best if you get sufficient sleep.

An extended lack of sleep can cause the same reaction to increased levels of stress. It can lower your antibody response and make you more susceptible once you get exposed to bacteria and viruses, including flu and the common cold. 

Memory Loss

• A lot of scientists agree that sleep is essential to give the brain enough time to organize itself, and particularly to commit data from short-term to long-term memory.
• Sufficient sleep is important for memory recall. Research also shows improved memory loss after only one night of quality restful sleep.

Psychiatric Disorders

A long-term and extreme lack of sleep can result in several psychiatric disturbances.

Other people who suffer from long periods of sleep deprivation developed several symptoms such as disorientation, hallucinations, and paranoia. These kinds of symptoms can often be associated or even confused with schizophrenia. 

Obesity and Weight Gain 

Rapid weight gain is another common effect of continual sleep issues. Inadequate sleep is connected to increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The resulting frustration, anxiety, and stress often contribute to poor nutritional habits and emotional eating. 

Ghrelin is another hormone that the stomach produces and is linked with long-term sleep deprivation. Excessive amounts of ghrelin can even make people feel hungrier. 

After some time, sleep deprivation can have a negative effect on the eating habits and metabolism of the body. Tiredness usually results in overindulgence and unhealthy cravings, accompanied by decreased physical activity and stamina. Research also revealed that people who don’t get enough rest are also more likely to eat foods with high amounts of sugar and carbohydrates. 

The numbers show that decreased exercise combined with higher amounts of food intake and an increased caloric value of ingested food will all lead to weight gain. Obesity is one of the known risk factors for insomniacs. 

Worried about How Insomnia Affects Your Health?

You see, sleep doesn’t only keep your mind sharp and alert. Long-term sleep deprivation and insomnia can have negative effects on both your physical health and emotional state. 

A continuous lack of sleep has been closely linked with strokes and heart attacks, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, anxiety and depression, memory loss, decreased brain function, lower fertility rates, weakened immune systems, and even psychiatric disorders. 

Having said all of these, it is important to make sure that you get as much sleep as you can to ensure that you keep both your body and mind healthy to enjoy a better and happier life.

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