LIVING WELL By Danielle Avery, DNP-FNP
The Dangers of Not Getting Enough Sleep The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends adults consistently achieve seven hours of sleep every night to foster optimal health, productivity, and daytime alertness. Getting this amount of sleep ensures the body experiences the four sleep stages, including Non-REM and REM sleep.
syndrome. Sleep deprivation can cause a host of health issues including but not limited to abnormal blood glucose, immunodeficiency, exacerbation of pain, mood changes, cardiovascular issues, hormonal abnormalities, and weight changes.
During the N3 stage of sleep, the brain waves slow down and allow the lymphatic system to clear away toxins. Sleep deprivation inhibits this process from happening, which means sticky proteins can develop into plaques on the brain. A buildup of that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
Sleep deprivation can impact quality of life by inducing lack of energy, lapses in memory, and decreased productivity. It can also progress the internal and external signs of aging. The greatest risk factor of sleep deprivation is mortality, or death.
Sleep deprivation is simply defined as insufficient sleep. Acute sleep deprivation may last a few days. The Academy of Sleep Medicine refers to chronic sleep deprivation as insufficient sleep
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Sleep health is a pillar of wellness that must be practiced consistently. How you spend your awake time impacts your sleep time. To improve your sleep health, first determine if there is an organic or inorganic problem.
