Sleep deprivation is the silent killer! Not a lot of us realise this but not getting your eight hours each night is slowly contributing to the degradation of your physical and mental health. Due to hectic, demanding modern lives, people tend to neglect their sleep quality and health. People commonly believe that shedding off a couple of hours at night would not do much harm. But they could not be more wrong.
We spoke to Dr Murarji Ghadge, Senior ENT Surgeon & Sleep Disorder Specialist at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune about what happens to your body and mind when you sleep a couple of hours less every night.
Dr. Ghadge says, “One of the most important elements of our health is sleep. Although most individuals think that sleeping six hours is sufficiently good, studies have continued to indicate that sleeping less than the required eight hours on a regular basis can significantly affect the physical and mental health of the individual.”
He added, “With the six hours of sleep per night, your body does not get any essential restorative processes especially the deep and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. These phases are necessary in muscle repair, immune activity, creation of memories and emotional regulation. Gradually, this deficiency of sleep can build up to something called sleep debt.”
Sleep Disorder Specialist explains what happens when you get six hours of sleep instead of eight • Lack of alertness
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According to Dr. Murarji Ghadge, one of the first things that happens when you sleep less is poor alertness. He says, “Six hours of sleep rather than eight hours may result in a lack of alertness as well as slower reaction times, irritability as well as lack of concentration in the short term. It is possible that you struggle to concentrate at work or recall information. This mild cognitive impairment may seem like slight intoxication. In addition, your decision-making and problem-solving skills can be impaired, as well.”
• Greater risks of lifestyle disorders
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The sleep specialist also says that one is at a greater risk of developing serious lifestyle disorders by sleeping six hours every night instead of eight.
“The effects are in the long run worse. Sleep deprivation among the chronic ones is associated with a greater susceptibility to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and even some forms of cancer. It also undermines the immune system that renders one more vulnerable to infections. In the mental health sector, lack of sleep may increase anxiety and depression, as well as modify mood-controlling brain chemistry,” Dr. Ghadge warns.
• Disruption in hormonal balance
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The expert also said that sleep deprivation can lead to hormonal balance and disorders related to it. He said, “Moreover, sleep deprivation is a regular disruption of hormonal balance, where ghrelin (hunger-inducing hormone) is increased and leptin (satiety-inducing hormone) is reduced, which may result in eating more and gaining weight.”
He concluded, Essentially, six hours may seem okay at a short moment but your body and brain pays the price. The importance of getting eight hours of solid sleep doesn't necessarily mean that you will feel better, but it will help to safeguard your health, productivity and emotional stability in the long run.”
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