If sleeping less than 6 hours a day is a common feature in your life, then you must complete reading this article right now. Lack of sleep can affect your body in more ways than you can imagine. Work. Online life. Family and friends. Our life gets too entangled in these elements that we forget to give our body ample rest in the form of adequate sleep. Here is how lack of sleep harms your body very silently:
- The Weight Gain Pain
When you are sleep deprived, you invite obesity. It’s said that when your body receives less sleep, you tend to feel hungrier and hence eat more. This happens because of hormonal imbalance. The hormone that stimulates our hunger (ghrelin) increases while the chemical that helps in keeping our appetite in check (leptin) lowers.
- The Diabetes Risk
Keeping an eye on your diet and exercise are crucial for preventing diabetes. But little did you know that when you sleep less, your body’s ability to process the glucose in your bloodstream gets hampered. Thus, making you more susceptible to type 2 diabetes.
- Skip Sleep Skip A Beat
In the long run, sleeping less than 6 hours a day can increase your chances of getting a heart disease by 2 times. This happens because lack of sleep alters your heart rate and increases your blood pressure since your body is not relaxed.As high BP or hypertension is the number one reason for heart issues, not sleeping well is something you should refrain from.
- Less Immunity, More Infections
“Your immune system produces proteins called cytokines while you are asleep. These cytokines are required to produce antibodies that help prevent infections like common cold, etc.”, informs Dr. A. K. Singh, Uppal, Hyderabad. These elements also help in speeding your recovery from illnesses. But if you are sleep deprived, it means reduced levels of cytokines and hence you increase your risk of getting sick.
- Less Sleep Less Sperms
Sleep deprivation reduces your libido but as per studies, it can also lead to infertility. This is more common among men. The chances of a low sperm count are more likely if you don’t get a good night’s sleep for at least 6 hours. So it’s not only the quantity of sleep that matters but also the quality.
Nothing is more important than your health. No work or party is worth your good night’s sleep. So choose to snooze beyond forty winks before your health sinks. If you have any problems in getting a sound sleep you might need medical help. Consult national level experts at your nearest Apollo Clinic today for the best advice. Happy Sleeping!