The Effects of Sleep Deprivation

By Sophal Sok

Sleep is very important to the human body, but most of us seem to ignore it. The most common problem that adults are facing nowadays is sleep deprivation due to our busy schedules and mental anxiety or illness. For most adults, the amount of sleep needed for best health is 7 to 9 hours each night. Insufficient sleep and inadequate quality of sleep have consequences for how we function in the daytime, causing sleepiness, fatigue, emotional problems, and other health issues. These are the commons issues that we might face if we do not get enough sleep:

Memory issues: A lack of sleep can impact both short and long-term memory because when we sleep, our brain forms connections that help us process and remember new information.

Thinking and concentration: Basically, when we do not get enough sleep, our concentration, creativity, and problem-solving skills are not up to par. We tend not to pay attention with the things we are doing and the surroundings.

Mood changes: A lack of sleep can make us become moody, emotional, and quick-tempered. Chronic sleep deprivation can affect our mood and lead to anxiety or depression that may result to suicide.

Weakened immunity: Insufficient sleep weakens our immune system’s defenses against viruses especially during this pandemic of the Covid-19. Once our immune system is weak, we tend to get infected very easily and will not able to recover in a short time.

Risk for Diabetes: Too little sleep affects our body’s release of insulin, a blood sugar-lowering hormone. People who do not get enough sleep have higher blood sugar levels and an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

Accidents: When we do not get enough sleep, we become drowsy during the day due to sleepiness and fatigue and it can increase the risk of accidents or injuries to ourselves and others while riding a motorcycle or driving a car.

Risk of heart disease: If we sleep less than five hours a night, our blood pressure increased and the higher levels of chemicals may lead to inflammation. Both of which add risks in heart related diseases.