Sleep is essential for a healthy body. Unfortunately, many people don’t get enough sleep due to various reasons. As a result, their bodies body fragile to numerous health problems. As a result, they get sick more often. For this reason, it is vital to understand how sleep deprivation affects your body. So, what happens when you don’t get enough sleep? Here are the things that may happen to your body when you’re sleep deprived.
1. Raise Your Risk of Heart Problems
Sleep deprivation can increase your risk of heart problems. This effect occurs when your blood vessels lose their ability to contract and expand. As a result, you may develop high blood pressure.
Aside from your blood vessels, lack of sleep may also lead to an increase in cholesterol levels, which may result in plaque formation. When your blood vessels have plaque, your heart needs to work hard. Eventually, this effect may lead to heart problems, including congestive heart failure and stroke.
2. Lowers Your Immune System
One of the most common things that may happen to your body when you’re sleep deprived is a weak immune system. As you know, your immune system is responsible for protecting your body against foreign invaders, like viruses and bacteria. While you sleep, your immune system builds up its forces. However, your body won’t be able to build enough army to fight infection-causing microorganisms if you don’t get enough sleep. As a result, you may get sick more often. Plus, recovery time from the common flu may also take longer.
3. May Lead to Weight Gain
Sleep deprivation may lead to weight gain in various ways. For one, most people who are sleep-deprived don’t have the strength and energy to exercise. Aside from that, most of them also reach for unhealthy snacks when tired.
Another reason involves the hormones leptin and ghrelin, which control your feelings of satiety and hunger. To be specific, people who are sleep deprived have increased levels of ghrelin, an appetite stimulant. As a result, they often grab late-night snacks.
Finally, lack of sleep may also lower your body’s tolerance for sugar or glucose. This effect may lead to obesity or diabetes mellitus.
Final Thoughts
Sleep deprivation is common nowadays, especially for those with a hectic schedule. As presented, several things may happen to your body when you’re sleep deprived. As such, experts recommend getting at least seven to nine hours of good night’s rest every day. That way, you can strengthen your body and avoid health problems. Plus, you will feel refreshed and energized throughout the day if you get sufficient sleep.
