Sleep deprivation: Five ways lack of sleep affects your health!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: We have heard that we're supposed to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night, but most of us don't get enough time to rest well even in the night, mostly due to our hectic lifestyle. While a late night or skimping your precious sleep for a night won't have any lasting effects beyond the fatigue you feel the next day, lack of sleep for a prolonged period of time can become a real problem and lead to a host of serious health issues.

Here's how your lack of shut eye can hurt your mind and body:

Cardiovascular health

People who have sleep problems are at an higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and and stroke. This is because sleep plays a vital role in your body’s ability to heal and repair your blood vessels and heart.

Diabetes

Studies have shown that people who usually sleep less than five hours a night have an increased risk of having or developing diabetes.

Respiratory health

Sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to respiratory problems like the common cold and influenza. Lack of sleep can worsen the conditions of people who already have a chronic lung disease.

Mental health

Chronic sleep disorder can lead to long-term mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Studies have also shown that people with psychiatric disorders were found to have some form of sleep disruption in them.

Weight gain

A recent study suggests that sleep deprivation may make you to consume more calories, thereby increasing your risk of unwanted weight gain. As per a study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who don't get enough sleep consumed an extra 385 calories the following day.