>

Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Your Body

The value of sleep can never be overestimated. Sleep disorders and not getting proper sleep are common issues people across the United States face, with millions affected by it. Apart from the lack of productivity due to not having rest, sleep deprivation has other dangerous effects on various parts of the body.

A woman suffering from sleep deprivation.

These can lead to long-term complications if the habit of getting proper REM sleep is not established. Here are the effects of sleep deprivation on the human body:

Central Nervous System

A lack of sleep has a direct impact on the Central Nervous System (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain and the spinal cord, which means that most of the functions of the body are affected by it. Sleep is integral for the development of Neuron pathways, helping us store more information and memorize things.

Sleep deprived man covering head with pillow.

Not getting proper sleep can begin to take a toll on your mental and emotional health. Apart from your analytical and decision-making skills, your perception of reality and how you regulate emotions is also heavily affected.

Immune System

When you're asleep, your body is hard at work on producing antibodies that can help fight against different external bacteria and viruses. When you're not getting enough sleep, these preventive substances are not developed and make you weaker. The lack of antibodies will make you vulnerable over a longer span.

Digestive System

Not getting enough sleep can also be a reason why you're becoming obese. As leptin is not produced due to a lack of sleep, other hormones like ghrelin go up that actually lead to hunger. This imbalance affects you less insulin, leading to diabetes and other complications.

Cardiovascular and Endocrine System

Sleep deprivation has shown an effect on cardiovascular health, as the vessels leading to the heart start to degrade over time as you get less and less sleep. These contribute to a plethora of heart complications.

In a similar vein, lack of REM sleep also disturbs the pituitary gland and various growth hormones, which are necessary for the development of the body.

At TelMDCare, we deal with and treat different conditions of the body such as UTI, strep throat and sinus infections among others. From the comfort of your home, take part in an online chat with the doctor using video consultation. Telemedicine healthcare is not only affordable but equally convenient for everyone. Get in touch with us today.