Most of us have been able to experience at some point in our lives the most common symptoms of not sleeping the right amount of time. Having a poor quality of sleep or sleeping few hours has made us feel unfocused, clumsy, sleepy, tired and with an appearance that reflects that we did not have a good night.
However, what most people do not know are the serious long-term consequences that lack of sleep can generate in us.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a person on average should sleep 7 to 8 hours a day to maintain optimal physical, emotional and mental condition. However, multiple occupations, lifestyle and technology have led to a decrease in those hours of sleep and more and more people do not have an adequate quality of sleep.
A recent study by the University of Texas was able to determine that people who sleep little, after 7 nights already have genetic alterations that could trigger serious health problems such as obesity, heart disease, etc.
If you are one of those people who sleep 6 hours or less, it is very important that you inform yourself and know the serious risks of not sleeping well.
- Increases the risk of stroke
A study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, United States, determined that people who do not sleep well have a higher risk of having a stroke. Adults who sleep 6 hours or less have up to 4 times the risk of developing stroke symptoms.
- Risk of obesity
People who have difficulty sleeping or sleep less than 6 hours tend to have a greater appetite and cravings for high-calorie foods. This is because by not falling asleep properly we suffer some hormonal changes that lead us to this situation.
In addition to the above, in the long term, not sleeping well can lead us to suffer from obesity. According to studies, not sleeping well significantly changes the levels of ghrelin and leptin, which are the hormones that regulate appetite.
- Increases the risk of diabetes
Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that poor sleep quality is linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases such as type II diabetes and that there is less insulin sensitivity.
- Memory loss
It is no secret to anyone that when we have not rested enough we are more forgetful and cannot concentrate well. What few know is that in the long term quite serious cognitive problems can develop as a result of sleep disorders.
Going just one night without sleep can cause loss of brain tissue, as blood levels of two brain molecules increase, caused by brain damage. A study conducted by the University of California was able to determine that lack of sleep causes “brain deterioration.”
- Increased risk of flu
Having few hours of sleep weakens the immune system and this leads to being more prone to flu and colds. This was determined by research carried out by Carnegie Mellon University.
- Heart disease
When a person doesn’t sleep well, their body produces more chemicals and hormones that can lead to heart disease. This was indicated by a study published in the European Heart Journal, which states that people who sleep less than 6 hours have up to a 48% higher risk of suffering from heart disease.
- May increase the risk of cancer
Research from the American Cancer Society was able to determine that little sleep could be related to the risk of colorectal or breast cancer. In the study of 1,240 people , it was found that those who had slept less than six hours had up to twice the risk of colorectal polyps, which in the long term can become malignant.
Source: Better with Health
