We are made to believe the more night oil we burn, the better our productivity will be. On the road to success, the first thing we cut back on is our sleep. Whether it be work-related deadlines or exams, sleep is the bodily function that most of us end up compromising on.
Sleep is an important process for the body. All adults need around 7-9 hours of sleep, however, there is a rising culture of associating sleep with laziness. Due to this, many people cut back on sleep.
However, by doing so, you do a grave injustice and a disservice to your body. This downtime is imperative to your mental and physical health. It sustains your body and is not a luxury, but a need.
Admittedly, lack of sleep is not a conscious decision by many people; they might be facing issues that may be impeding quality sleep. It is therefore imperative that you consult your General Physician in Lahore for remedying this problem.
Otherwise, there are severe implications of lack of quality sleep.
1 Cardiovascular disease
Your heart is a vital organ, and it serves the body with fuel –oxygen—to keep it going. Any problems with either the functioning of the heart or blood supply have a grave impact on your overall health then.
Lack of quality sleep has been associated with heart problems. Those suffering from sleep apnea have a greater risk of heart attack and hypertension. Moreover, lack of sleep also affects the blood supply system.
Disrupted sleep is associated with the increased buildup of plaque, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Hence, people with problems like sleep apnea also then suffer from heart problems.
2 Cognitive issues
Your cutting back on sleep now will haunt you later in life. Lack of sufficient sleep has been associated with changes in the brain, much like that caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
Moreover, lack of sleep is also related to the increased production of proteins that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, the damage you do to your brain is permanent; you cannot undo it by sleeping later.
3 Compromised immunity
Lack of sufficient sleep is associated with greater inflammation. Moreover, sleeplessness also leads to a compromised immune system. Many essential processes performed by the immune system occur when we sleep at night, and when we cut back on sleep, we put these processes into jeopardy.
4 Depression and other mental health problems
Another problem caused by lack of quality sleep is depression. According to research, people who have chronic sleeplessness have a greater risk of depression. Due to the debilitating impact of depression on one’s quality of life, it is pertinent to recognize the importance of quality sleep.
Moreover, sleeplessness is also related to mood problems. Lack of sleep also leads to greater anxiety.
5 Obesity
Obesity is not just a disease unto itself, it is a harbinger of another disease as well. People who do not have sufficient shuteye have greater chances of weight gain and obesity. Lack of sufficient sleep is also related to metabolic disorder, which makes one more prone to weight gain.
The issues related to obesity are plenty. It leads to joint problems and bone aches, as your musculoskeletal system gets overwhelmed with the extra weight. Obesity also increases the chances of chronic ailments like heart disease.
Similarly, obesity also has a grave impact on mental health. It leads to self-esteem problems, lack of confidence, low self-worth. Moreover, society also has a habit of ostracizing people who are overweight.
6 Type II Diabetes
Lack of sleep makes it harder for the body to moderate blood sugar levels, thereby increasing the risk of diabetes. People with a family history of diabetes need to be extra careful, as the risk if greater for them. Those on the borderline should definitely enlist the help of the Best General Physician in Islamabad.
