Some people think sleep disturbances are common. In fact, the effects of sleep disturbances can be very detrimental to the health of the body. If left untreated, sleep disturbances over time can increase the risk of various serious diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
Ideally, adults need 7–9 hours of sleep every night to keep the body fit and in shape. However, in people who experience sleep disorders, hours of sleep can be excessive or even less. Sleep disorders can occur in various forms, such as insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea , or restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Sleep disturbances can be caused by many things, such as psychological conditions due to severe stress, depression, or anxiety disorders, as well as physical conditions, such as asthma, allergies, or colds.
Lack of quality sleep or hours of sleep will cause you to wake up feeling tired and often sleepy during the day. The effects of sleep disturbances are not only that, you will also be more at risk of various diseases.
Various Effect Sleep Disorder
Sleep disturbances that occur only occasionally generally will not have much impact on health. However, you should be aware if this condition occurs repeatedly and prolonged.
Here are some health problems that can put you at greater risk due to sleep disorders:
1. aging
When you get enough sleep, your body will produce enough collagen and repair damaged skin cells and tissues.
Conversely, if you are sleep deprived continuously, your skin can be more at risk of aging which is characterized by the appearance of wrinkles or wrinkles on the face, dull and dry skin.
2. Obesity
Lack of sleep can make you gain weight. According to several studies, people who have sleep disorders tend to have a higher appetite and hunger.
When sleep deprived, some people may also eat more at night, especially if they have a habit of eating when stressed. Meanwhile, due to lack of sleep, they may become less energetic during the day, so they are lazy to exercise.
3. Depression
Several studies have shown that there is a fairly close relationship between depression and sleep disorders. The habit of often lacking sleep over time can increase a person's risk for depression. On the other hand, people who are depressed often experience symptoms of insomnia or sleep too much.
It is not yet clear what causes it, but the effect of this sleep disorder is thought to occur due to a problem in the brain that functions to regulate sleep mood.
4. Decreased immunity
The immune system or the body's immune system plays an important role in fighting viruses and germs that cause infection or disease. To keep your immune system strong, you need to get enough rest, reduce stress, and eat nutritious food.
When you have a sleep disorder, your immune system can weaken, making you more susceptible to illness, including the flu and COVID-19. According to research, people who sleep 7 hours or less each night are more prone to colds than those who get enough sleep.
5. Memory decline
When the body is rested and sleeps well, the brain will work better and this can strengthen your memory. On the other hand, when you are sleep deprived, your brain will have a hard time working properly, so it will be more difficult for you to remember.
In addition, a lack of quality or quantity of sleep can also affect your concentration power, making it difficult for you to process information and remember.
6. Difficulty concentrating
If you don't get enough time and quality sleep, your cognitive function and decision-making abilities will decline. In addition, lack of sleep also seems to make you careless, such as forgetting to bring your wallet or cellphone.
7. Decreased sex drive
It can also be the effect of sleep disturbances in both men and women. Many studies show that lack of sleep or insomnia that occurs in the long term can reduce libido or sexual desire.
Not only that, studies say that men who experience sleep apnea can also experience a decrease in testosterone levels so that it has an impact on a decrease in sexual libido.
8. Fertility is disturbed
Sleep disturbances can also make you more at risk for fertility problems. This is because insomnia or lack of sleep can reduce the quality of sperm and egg cells.
Insomnia can also make women experience irregular periods, making it difficult to determine the fertile period. So, if you want to have children quickly, try to sleep well with sufficient duration.
In addition, the effects of sleep disturbances in the long term can also increase the risk of various serious diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and cancer.
To prevent the various effects of sleep disorders above, you need to get enough sleep and stop the habit of staying up late. In order to improve the quality and hours of sleep, you can also get used to applying sleep hygiene.
However, jIf you have tried various methods, but are still having trouble sleeping or find it difficult to sleep well, you should consult a doctor.
The doctor may perform a physical examination and sleep study to find out the cause and treatment, according to the type of sleep disorder you are experiencing.
