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The Dangers of a Lack of Sleep

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night for optimal physical and mental health. Increasingly hectic lifestyles keep many of us from reaching that goal. This chronic lack of sleep can lead to a variety of dangerous outcomes, from health problems to accidents. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing a chronic lack of sleep. She can help identify the reasons why and recommend treatment options.

  1. Weight Gain

    • According to WebMD, lack of sleep can lead to weight gain and even obesity. The reason for this is hormone related. The hormones leptin and ghrelin, responsible for signaling hunger and fullness in the brain, become imbalanced in sleep deprivation. When the body has difficulty interpreting these signals, it can lead to overeating and weight gain.

    Depression

    • The National Sleep Foundation reports that the link between lack of sleep and depression is two-sided. Chronic sleep loss can lead to depression and depression can lead to a chronic loss of sleep. NSF characterizes depression as a feeling of sadness, anxiety or hopelessness that persists for a long period of time.

    Decreased Immunity

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, lack of sleep can decrease the body's immunity, making you more prone to getting sick. This can also delay the body's normal recovery time.

    Disease

    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention link insufficient sleep with higher occurrences of chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular (heart) disease. In diabetes, a lack of sleep impairs the body's ability to regulate insulin. Sleep conditions such as sleep apnea can worsen cardiovascular disease.

    Forgetfulness

    • The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports that deep sleep improves the brain's ability to encode information, aiding in memory and recall. Repeatedly missing out on the deep stages of the sleep cycle may lead to forgetfulness.

    Increased Risk of Accidents or Injury

    • According to NINDS, sleep deprivation impairs judgment and reaction times. Completing daily activities while fatigued can lead to errors, accidents or injuries. In fact, NINDS reports that fatigued drivers perform similarly to those who are intoxicated.

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