6 Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Your Body

You are eating the right foods, you are exercising, and you are ensuring your body is healthy. Yet you feel tired and sluggish, why is that? Lack of sleep, or nights spend tossing and turning can cause real and long-term effects on your body. Sleep deprivation may sound a minor issue but as we grow older, sleep is one of the essential factors that contribute to our health.

Poor quality of sleep or lack of sleep can cause mental fog, irritation, weakened immune system, weight gain, and several other issues. There is real, scientific evidence that sleep deprivation can be harmful to our health and body. Let’s study the 6 effects of sleep deprivation on our bodies.

Immune System- When you sleep soundly or properly, your body produces protective, infection-fighting substances like antibodies and cytokines. It uses these substances to combat foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Certain cytokines help you sleep, giving your immune system the required efficiency to defend your body against illness. Sleep deprivation prevents your immune system from strengthening and building its defenses. If you don’t get enough sleep or sleep at the right time, your body may not be able to fight off illness as efficiently as it should. Long-term sleep deprivation increases the risk for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Digestive System- Sleep deprivation is a strong contributor to obesity and weight gain. People who struggle to sleep on time often tend to snack during late-night hours or eat at regular intervals. These snacks or meals contain junk or processed foods. Sleep affects the levels of ghrelin and leptin, which control feelings of hunger and fullness. Leptin indicates to your brain that you are full or have had enough to eat. Sleep deprivation causes a reduction in leptin and increases the production of ghrelin, which is an appetite stimulant. These fluxes explain midnight snacking. Sleep deprivation can also make you feel lethargic and tired which prevents you from exercise or working out. It causes your body to release less insulin after you eat. Insulin helps to reduce your blood sugar (glucose) level. It lowers the body’s tolerance for glucose.

Cardiovascular System- Sleep deprivation affects the processes to keep your heart healthy and strong. Good quality sleep is essential to your body as it allows it to heal and repair the blood vessels and heart. People who don’t sleep enough or have a poor quality of sleep are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Insomnia has also been linked to stroke and heart attacks.

Endocrine System- Hormone production and regulation depends on a combination of factors including quality sleep. For testosterone production, you need at least 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep, which is about the time of your first R.E.M episode. Waking up through the night, poor quality sleep interrupted sleep, or sleep deprivation can affect hormone production. These kinds of interruptions can also affect growth hormone production, especially in children and adolescents. These hormones build muscle mass and repair cells and tissues, in addition to other growth functions. The pituitary gland releases growth hormones throughout the day but quality sleep and exercise help the release of this hormone as well.

Respiratory System- A nighttime breathing disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can interrupt your sleep and lower sleep quality. Many people who suffer from OSA are unaware of this disease and can spend the majority of their lives going without being diagnosed. Excessive snoring, inability to breathe, less oxygen are some symptoms of OSA. As you wake up through the night, this can cause sleep deprivation, which leaves you vulnerable to infections like common cold and flu. Sleep deprivation can exacerbate respiratory diseases and increase recovery periods.

Central Nervous System- Chronic insomnia or sleep deprivation can affect how your body processes and stores information. During sleep, pathways form between nerve cells (neurons) in your brain that help you remember new information you have learned. Sleep deprivation leaves your brain exhausted and tired so it can’t remember to perform its duties or struggle with basic functions. It causes delay in learning things and affect your ability to concentrate. The signals your body sends to you may be delayed, decreasing your coordination and increasing your risk for accidents or injuries. Sleep deprivation has a negative impact on your emotional abilities. You can suffer mood swings, anger, irritation, and anxiety. It has a significant impact on creativity and deter your imagination and mental abilities from thinking inventively. Sleep deprivation is especially harmful and dangerous for people suffering from mental health disorders. It can trigger mania, hallucinations, stress, and paranoia. Excessive sleep deprivation can lead to microsleep, an episode where you fall asleep for a few seconds or minutes without even realizing it. It is extremely dangerous while driving and can lead to accidents.

Sleep deprivation or insomnia is not something to be taken lightly. You should consult a doctor or an expert if you are suffering from sleep deprivation.