What are the long term effects of Insomniaon the brain, body and health?
What are it’s side effects psychologically and physically
It can affect an individual physically and psychologically and cause detriment to one’s health. Other symptoms include weakened immune system, low self esteem, memory loss and weight gain.
Longterm insomnia can develop over time to become serious health problems such asdiabetes, obesity, depression and cardiovascular disease. Mental ability,performance and productivity are all affected and quality of life is impaired.Insomnia is therefore a serious disorder that can lead to major problems. Onenoticeable effect is lack of self esteem. But surprisingly it has been foundthat physical appearance is not affected.
Loss of sleep can lead to obesity with again in waist circumference and BMI (Body mass index) as lack of sleepencourages the person to eat due tohormone changes. This involves the production of a hormone calledGhrelin which increases appetite. Correspondingly less Leptin which suppressesappetite is produced. Long term insomniacs almost double the risk of becomingobese, says Professor Francesco Cappuccio of Warwick Medical School. Gettinggood restful sleep can lead to corresponding weight loss and normalisation. Infact getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis can help you lose weight.Even children as young as five years old can be affected in this way from lackof sleep.
MemoryLoss
Sleep deprivation arising from insomniadamages the memory. At the Harvard Medical School Dr Jeffrey Ellenbogendiscovered that “sleep protects memories from interference.” In fact a studenthas more chance of retaining information if he or she falls asleep afterlearning a new skill or studying for an exam or test.
If on the other hand heor she just continues with daily activities there will be a 44% less chance of retainingthe information. The bottom line is that getting good sleep, aids the memory – whilelosing sleep damages it.
Intellectualimpairment
There is no doubt that lack of sleep candamage intellectual ability and performance, researchers at the University ofVirginia have found. Children have demonstrated impaired cognitive functionwhen they have missed out on sleep.
Physicalimpairment
Lack of sleep can negatively affectcoordination, clumsiness and tremors and motor functions, delayed reactiontime, reduced endurance and cardiovascular performance. Fatigue is inevitable.
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