The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation
by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD
About 60 million Americans suffer from some type of chronic sleep-related disorder, which includes sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome and insomnia. Furthermore, about 40 percent of adults unintentionally fall asleep during the day. Here are some conditions that can result from sleep deprivation:
Increased Anxiety Levels
• Raises brain’s anticipatory receptors and increases that feeling of anxiousness
Increased Depression Levels
• Lowers mood-regulating neurotransmitters
Circadian Rhythm Interruption
• Weakens white blood cell health
• Decreases stress response
Increase Stroke Risk
• Elevates risk of blood flow restriction to the brain
Cognitive Impairment
• Impairs memory and thought processing
Increased Risk of High Blood Pressure
• 6 hours of sleep or less increases your risk of hypertension
Increased Risk of Diabetes
• Triggers stress hormone release of cortisol and norepinephrine, both associated with insulin resistance
Increased Risk of Breast Cancer
• Staying up on your phone right before bed reduces melatonin production, which disrupts estrogen production. An increase in estrogen can cause cancer causing cells to grow in the breast tissue
Cravings
• Lack of sleep throws your hunger cue hormones out of balance (Ghrelin and Leptin)
• Ghrelin triggers the feeling of being hungry
• Leptin triggers the fullness factor
• Lack of sleep increases Ghrelin production and suppresses Leptin production
Increased Injury Risk
• When your body is not well rested, your reaction time decreases and certain basic motor functions become impaired, increasing your chance of injury either during exercise or even just performing day–to-day activities
