How Losing Sleep Could Do More Damage Than You Think

Last updated on July 7th, 2023 at 11:36 am

Modern society often dictates that we are forced to make a certain number of sacrifices. Working longer hours at the office,
spending less time with the family and taking fewer annual holidays are a handful of common examples.

Losing Sleep Could Do More Damage Than You Think
Losing Sleep Could Do More Damage Than You Think

However, studies released by the NHS have shown that one in three individuals are not receiving a sufficient amount of sleep on a regular basis (1). Although there may be times when it is necessary to “burn the midnight oil”,
the fact of the matter is that chronic sleeplessness can cause some very real health issues.

Let us take a look at some common reasons why you might not be receiving quality sleep before examining the surprising health-related issues that can result.

Stress, Worry or Something More?

It is common for individuals to have difficulty sleeping if they are worried or otherwise unable to relax their minds at the end of the day.
While this type of insomnia will undoubtedly induce tiredness and a lack of concentration, it is normally transient in nature.

However, you might also be suffering from a condition known as sleep apnoea. This disorder involves the involuntary narrowing of your upper airway passages. As a result, it will become difficult to properly breathe when you are sleeping.

Common symptoms include heavy snoring (often noticed by a partner) or waking up suddenly gasping for breath. You might also have a tendency to sleep with your mouth open in order to obtain the proper amount of air.

The main problem with this condition is that it can often be difficult to spot (after all, you are sleeping). This is why a diagnosis will often be made by a professional after examining your symptoms. Let’s now take a look at some signs that you might be suffering from this sleeping disorder.

What are the Symptoms?

The short-term symptoms that are often associated with this sleeping disorder include (but may not be limited to):

  • Feeling tired throughout the day.
  • Being unable to obtain the proper amount of mental focus when dealing with challenging tasks.
  • Nervousness and irritability.
  • A shorter attention span when engaging in conversations or topics that would otherwise be interesting.
  • Headaches in the morning.
  • Waking up with an extremely dry mouth or a sore throat on a regular basis.

Although each of these symptoms can sometimes be attributed to other conditions such as consuming an excessive amount of alcohol or simply stress, they might also indicate that a more serious condition is present.

The body is a well-oiled machine and sleeping is one of the most important “cogs” within its arsenal. It should therefore come as no surprise that those who have difficulty obtaining between seven and eight hours of “downtime” on a regular basis could open themselves up to additional health risks. Let us now take a look at some surprisingly negative effects that can accumulate over time.

Potential Long-Term Effects

Those who have consistent difficulty sleeping are likely to feel unmotivated and they will often not have the mental “momentum” to deal with daily tasks. As mentioned previously, irritability and even depression could become present if not treated.

It should also be pointed out that this type of “fuzziness” can lead to mistakes and injuries (such as a car accident after falling asleep behind the wheel of a vehicle) that could have otherwise been easily avoided. Unfortunately, the long-term effects do not stop here.

The process of sleeping has some very important biological benefits. When our bodies are relaxed and when the mind is unconscious, “feel-good” hormones such as endorphins and serotonin are released. These help to moderate our mood and to provide us with an “even keel” when dealing with new or stressful situations.
Sleeping also allows the body to repair itself from everyday wear and tear.

Those who are unable to fall asleep or remain in this state are also likely to suffer from a weaker
immune system. This can lead to more frequent illnesses and it will normally take longer to recover even from straightforward conditions such as the common cold. Of course, this likewise increases the chances of developing more serious situations such as the flu or chronic health issues.

Speaking of chronic health issues, were you aware that not sleeping properly can cause you to gain weight? This might even increase the chances of developing lifelong conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Other serious health risks that you may become exposed to include (2):

  • An irregular heartbeat
  • Heart attacks
  • Strokes
  • High blood pressure

You will also be interested to learn that not sleeping properly as the result of sleep apnoea can have a negative impact upon both libido and overall sex drive.

So, it should now be clear that finding solutions for such issues is very important if you hope to maintain a high quality of life. What options are available?

The Solutions at Your Disposal

It is fortunate that science has come a long way in determining the causes of sleeplessness as well as what treatment options are available. As with any problem, the first step to finding a solution involves obtaining an accurate diagnosis.

Some individuals choose to employ sleeping monitors, as these are able to provide basic information such as heart rate and the amount of REM rest during a typical session.

However, they are often insufficient for those who are looking to determine whether or not they might be suffering from sleep apnoea. At-home tests are much more accurate and they are also very convenient.

You will be pleased to learn that these very same tools are available through the In-Home Sleep Test.
Not only will you be provided with fast and reliable results, but you will finally be able to get to the root of your sleeping problem.

Considering the effects that such a condition can have upon your health, there is no better time than the present to take advantage of this amazing technology. Please examine our website to learn more.

Sources:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/why-lack-of-sleep-is-bad-for-your-health/
https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/10-results-sleep-loss#1

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