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Physical Consequences of Sleep Deprivation

Whether your lack of sleep is caused by staying out too late, stress or a health condition, sleep deprivation can negatively affect your health. In addition to decreasing your productivity and alertness, sleep deprivation can cause injuries, weight gain, irritability and serious illnesses. If you are sleep deprived, talk to your doctor about different treatment options.

  1. Decreased Productivity and Alertness

    • Sleep deprivation decreases your productivity and alertness at work and school. You have a difficult time focusing on your work because you can't keep your eyes open. Your work gets finished at a slower pace because you can't process information as quickly. According to WebMD, losing just 90 minutes of sleep could result in a 32 percent reduction in daytime alertness the next day.

    Irritability

    • Sleep deprivation can make you more irritable and sensitive to small stimuli, such as loud music or being asked a question. Lack of sleep can make it difficult to deal with stressful situations, such as taking an exam or giving a presentation at work.

    Weight Gain

    • Sleep deprivation causes some people to gain weight. According to MayoClinic.com, a lack of sleep increases your appetite and causes you to crave unhealthy foods. For example, if you feel tired in the morning, you may grab a doughnut on your way to work to give you energy.

    Injuries

    • Sleep deprivation increases your risk of injuring yourself at work or while you're driving. For example, cooks at restaurants can burn themselves on the stove and factory workers can cut themselves with machines. Driving while drowsy increases your chances of getting into an accident.

    Serious Illnesses

    • Long-term sleep deprivation can cause serious illnesses, such as diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure. Because your immune system is weakened from a lack of sleep, your body will have difficulty fighting off diseases. According to WebMD, sleeping less than six or seven hours a night can increase your mortality risk.

    Treatment Options

    • Writing in a sleep diary can help you to keep track of your sleep patterns, recommends HelpGuide.org. Include your moods before you go to sleep, medications taken, the time you went to bed and woke up, types of foods and beverages you consumed before bed, total hours slept and amount of time you spent awake. Aim to get at least eight hours of sleep at night and go to sleep and wake up at the same times each day. Put away any distractions, such as a television, cellphone or radio. Talk to your doctor if your sleeping problems persist. He may recommend you to go to a sleeping clinic, where a sleep specialist will monitor you while you sleep to determine the best way to help you.

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