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Consequences of sleep deprivation can add up

HOUSTON -- (March 5, 2008) -- Think you can get by on a few hours of sleep each night without any serious consequences?

Think again.

Sleep affects overall health

Depriving yourself of sleep can have a detrimental effect on your overall health, said Dr. Shyam Subramianian, assistant professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and a sleep expert.

"Research shows that several body functions are disturbed when you're not getting enough sleep. This ranges from neuropsychiatric disruptions to general cardiovascular function," he said.

Sleep deprivation causes host of problems Sleep deprivation can disrupt normal brain function and lead to short term memory loss, anxiety and even depression, said Subramanian. For someone who already suffers from a mood disorder, a lack of sleep can trigger more severe symptoms of the disorder.

Lack of sleep also affects how well the body functions. While you sleep, heart rate, blood pressure, adrenaline and platelet function slow down. Disrupting this slowdown can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke or blood clots, said Subramanian.

However, the body releases the hormones cortisol and leptin during slow-wave sleep, the period of deepest sleep. Cortisol regulates the immune system and plays a role in glucose regulation. The risk of diabetes and a poor immune system result with a lack of cortisol in the body. Leptin plays a role in suppressing the appetite. Some research shows that sleep deprivation increases the risk of obesity and insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.

Insulin resistance is also a common symptom in women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have fertility problems, irregular periods and weight gain, among other problems. Many women with this problem also stop breathing while they are asleep (apnea). For some, treating apnea relieves the symptoms of their disease, said Subramanian

Know the signs

Signs of sleep deprivation include fatigue, falling asleep involuntarily throughout the day and constantly waking up at night, among others. Adults between the ages of 18 and 60 should get about seven and a half to eight hours of sleep each night. Children under the age of 5 years should get 11 to 12 hours of sleep each night. For each year after the age of 5, the number of hours of sleep needed will decrease by one.

Every hour of sleep you lose watching late night television or chatting on the phone will have an effect the next morning and perhaps over your lifetime as well, experts say.