Studies at the University of Chicago indicate that those suffering
from sleep deprivation have a reduced ability to regulate glucose and
produce insulin, displaying symptoms similar to early stage diabetes.
While these effects were temporary, this study implies that chronic
sleep deprivation could eventually lead to an increased risk of diabetes
and obesity. Sleep deprivation can also increase the risk of depression,
and some studies indicate that prolonged sleep deprivation may
contribute to the development of fibromyalgia syndrome.
Clinical studies have repeatedly shown the sleep deprivation inhibits
creative thinking, reaction time, language skills and almost all other
higher brain functions. One of the major causes of sleep deprivation is
pressure point arousal. Pressure point
arousal, caused mainly by inadequate sleep surfaces, is a process by
which by which the body is constantly disturbed from deep sleep because
of minute disruptions. The loss of deep sleep can have many of the same
effects as sleep loss in general. The deep sleep stages and especially
REM stage sleep are the most important periods of brain activity. If we
miss out on these sleep stages, we might never feel rested, even with a
"full" 8 hours of rest. There are several products on the market, like
memory foam mattresses, that are designed to eliminate pressure point
arousal, and they have made a dramatic improvement in the lives of many
individuals.
Sleep is a health necessity that is too often ignored. Our society
pushes us to sleep less and accomplish more, but there is a point when
all of that hard work and no rest can become counterproductive. If you
think you aren't getting the rest you need, consider consulting a
physician well as improving your sleep environment and habits.
