Sleep is essential for the body, because it is at this moment that several important reactions happen as the regulation of endocrine functions, restoration of energy and brain metabolism, repair of tissues, and memory consolidation.
Thus, sleep deprivation, especially when it is chronic or occurs in a repeated way, can have serious health consequences, such as impairment of memory and learning, reduced attention, mood changes, risk of developing psychiatric illnesses, and impaired immune system, for example.
Sleep is controlled by areas of the brain, and is related to biochemical and physiological events in the body, and is also influenced by behavior. For it to happen properly, sleep is divided into 4 phases, which varies in the form of cycles. Find out how they are divided and what happens in the sleep stages.
Thus, several conditions can lead to changes that impair sleep, from neurological, psychiatric, respiratory diseases, or simply by poor habits that deregulate the "biological clock" of sleep. Also see what are the most common sleep disorders.
1. Tiredness and fatigue
Drowsiness, tiredness and loss of disposition are the first symptoms of the lack of a good night's sleep, because it is during rest, especially in the deeper phases of sleep, that the body manages to recover the energies.
2. Failures in memory and attention
It is during sleep that the brain manages to consolidate memories and renew cognitive performance, allowing for greater concentration, attention and performance of functions.
Thus, a person deprived of sleep for many hours has more difficulty remembering things, concluding reasonings, concentrating or being attentive, presenting difficulties in making decisions and worse performances at work or school, for example.
3. Decline of immunity
Sleep deprivation impairs the production of defense cells in the body, making the immune system weakened and less effective in fighting infections. Check out tips on what to do to improve immunity.
4. Sadness and irritability
Sleep deprivation can provide emotional instability, so people are more irritable, sad or impatient. When the little sleep becomes chronic, the person is more predisposed to present sadness and suffer from anxiety and depression.
Other mental illnesses that may be favored by sleep disorder are eating disorders, panic syndrome or alcoholism, for example.
5. High pressure
Sleeping less than 6 hours a day may favor the onset of high blood pressure, because during sleep there is a rest period of the cardiovascular system, with a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. In addition, lack of sleep may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke.
6. Hormonal changes
The proper relationship between sleep and wakefulness, which is the period in which it is kept awake, is the basis for a regularized production of hormones in the body.
Thus, hormones such as melatonin, growth hormone, adrenaline and TSH are closely related to the existence of adequate sleep, so sleep deprivation, especially in chronic form, can have consequences such as delayed growth, difficulties in gaining muscle mass, thyroid changes or fatigue, for example.
Check out other problems that can arise when we do not sleep well and what to do to improve.
