What happens when you lack sleep regularly?

Sleep is important for health, it is the time when the body regenerates and recovers after a long day. Adults should sleep 7-9 hours a day. Teenagers (14-17 years old) need 8-10 hours of sleep a day and people over 65 years old should get 7-8 hours of sleep. Insomnia and prolonged lack of sleep change hormones and body activities, increase the risk of many chronic diseases, and negatively affect memory and ability to concentrate.

Premature brain aging: Prolonged lack of sleep can cause deterioration of memory and thinking ability, increasing the risk of dementia. People who have a lot of sleep problems have an older “brain age” than people who sleep well. Premature brain aging seriously affects memory, thinking ability and the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Depression and anxiety: People with chronic insomnia are at higher risk of depression and anxiety. The relationship between sleep and mood is complex, lack of sleep causes more anxiety, while depression and anxiety also cause insomnia. Improving sleep can help stabilize mood.

Weight gain and obesity: Lack of sleep causes an imbalance in the hormones ghrelin and leptin, affecting feelings of hunger and fullness. When you don’t get enough sleep, leptin levels decrease, making you feel hungrier, while ghrelin levels increase, stimulating your appetite. Lack of sleep increases calorie consumption, gradually causing weight gain over time. People with high blood pressure are at risk of heart disease, stroke, and are susceptible to being overweight or obese. Because excess fat causes compression and plaque accumulation in the arteries, leading to cardiovascular disease.

Type 2 diabetes: Insufficient sleep or poor quality sleep weakens blood sugar control, increasing the likelihood of type 2 diabetes. Lack of sleep changes insulin and blood sugar levels, creating conditions for metabolic syndrome. and insulin resistance develops.

Kidney problems: Not getting enough sleep can affect kidney function and increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. Sleep disorders such as restless legs syndrome or insomnia are commonly seen in people with kidney disease. People with poor kidney function or problems with prolonged insomnia are at high risk of kidney failure.

Immune system decline: Not getting enough sleep weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses such as colds and flu. Because lack of sleep reduces the ability to create antibodies, making it difficult for the body to fight diseases.

Poor intestinal microflora: Poor sleep can cause an imbalance of microorganisms in the intestinal tract, negatively affecting overall health. People who work night shifts or lack sleep are susceptible to changes in their microflora, reducing beneficial bacteria in the intestines.