What happens to your body when you don´t sleep

Chronic sleep deprivation can result in various health issues. To clarify, chronic sleep deprivation refers to inadequate, excessive, or disrupted sleep occurring more often than not throughout the week for over a month. This definition serves as a guideline. For instance, occasional sleep disturbances due to external factors like a sick child do not fall under chronic sleep loss. However, consistent poor sleep can have detrimental effects on your health. One significant consequence is weight gain and diabetes. Research indicates that chronic sleep deprivation elevates cortisol levels, impacting sugar metabolism and potentially leading to insulin resistance and diabetes. These findings are supported by scientific studies, which are detailed in the accompanying notes for your reference. It is important to note that chronic sleep deprivation, as opposed to occasional nights of poor sleep, can have significant effects on the body. One of these effects is weight gain. This can be attributed to both impaired glucose processing and the impact on appetite hormones. Ghrelin, known as the hunger hormone, and leptin, the hormone responsible for making you feel full, play a crucial role in regulating appetite. Research has shown that even just one night of sleep deprivation can increase ghrelin levels, leading to an increase in appetite. At the same time, sleep deprivation decreases leptin levels, reducing the sensation of feeling full. This connection between sleep deprivation and appetite explains why individuals who are sleep deprived tend to feel hungrier and have a greater desire to eat. Furthermore, even when they do eat, they do not experience the same level of satiety. Some studies have even found a link between sleep deprivation and an increased craving for carbohydrate-rich foods. This response can be attributed to the fact that leptin is primarily produced in the body's fat cells, or adipose tissue. When leptin levels are low, the body interprets this as a signal that there is not enough fat reserves. As a result, the body tends to store more glucose as fat rather than breaking it down for energy. Therefore, if you are not getting enough sleep and also eating late at night, you are more likely to gain weight as the body prioritizes fat storage. It is crucial to prioritize sufficient sleep and maintain a healthy sleep schedule to avoid these negative effects on appetite and weight. It is unlikely that you will gain 50 pounds if you have a fairly slim body build. Just because you have been doing something for years does not automatically mean you will pack on weight. Weight gain over time could be gradual, with a few pounds here and there, despite changes in diet and exercise. Even individuals in good shape, such as bodybuilders, may struggle with weight gain if they are not getting enough sleep. This gradual weight gain can be difficult to shake off, even with significant efforts to change your diet and exercise routine. Additionally, cardiovascular disease may be a negative consequence of this weight gain, influenced by increased cortisol levels and sleep deprivation. These factors can lead to the acceleration of hardening of the arteries. The cardiovascular disease, whether it presents as high blood pressure or an increased risk of heart attacks, is discussed in the reference materials. A study from the Journal of Cardiology indicates that insufficient or excessive sleep can have detrimental effects on one's lifespan or even lead to sudden death. Although the exact manifestation of sudden death is unclear, it is evident that poor sleep can significantly impact overall health and serve as an indicator of an unhealthy lifestyle. Additionally, sleep deprivation worsens attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attention deficit disorder (ADD), which can be highly debilitating and problematic in various settings. When combined with sleep deprivation, the effects of ADHD are further intensified, particularly in children. Therefore, if your child has ADHD, it is crucial to prioritize their sleep to mitigate the multiplied impact of ADHD symptoms caused by inadequate sleep.