SLEEP AND EFFECTS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION

Sleep can be defined as the unconsciousness from which a person can be aroused through sensory stimuli. It is also the natural state of rest during which one's eyes are closed and the person becomes unconscious.

There are two types of sleep;

1. REM Sleep
2. Non-REM Sleep

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep which is also known as paradoxical or beta wave sleep is characterized by increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, rapid eye movement, active brain state and periodic penile erections for male. REM sleep is deeper than Non-REM and the arousal threshold frequency here is higher compared to NON-REM sleep.

Non-REM sleep which is also known as dreamless or delta wave sleep is characterized by decreased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, decreased Basic Metabolic Rate (BMR), decreased muscle tone and increased growth hormone secretion.

We are supposed to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per day, but some people only get to sleep for just 3 or 4 hours in a day, which about half of what is optimum. Depriving yourself of sufficient sleep has both short-term and long-term consequences.

The short-term effects include;

1. Drowsiness
2. Sudden mood swings
3. Loss of short-term memory
4. Lack of concentration
5. Loss of capacity to create, plan and carry out activities.

While the long-term effects include;

1. Obesity
2. Premature aging
3. Fatigue
4. Chronic memory loss
5. Increased risk of infections such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal diseases.

When we eat, the body's adipose tissues produce a peptide called leptin. But leptin inhibits the production of hypocretin in the brain which helps to keep us awake.
Therefore, the more leptin produced in the brain, the less hypocretin and the greater the feeling of drowsiness.

The less we sleep, the more we will eat. Sleep affects our appetite. Our brain interprets a lack of sleep as a lack of food. While we sleep, our adipose tissues secrete leptin, the hormone that normally let our body know that we've eaten enough. When we stay awake longer than we should, our body produces less leptin, and we feel a craving for more carbohydrates.
Hence, sleep deprivation can lead to increased carbohydrate consumption, which in turn can lead to obesity and even diabetes.

Do not steem your life away, have sufficient sleep today. Take care of yourself.

Image Source: Pixabay

Look out for my next post on Sleep disorders.

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