Effect of insufficient sleep
According to Dr Yemisi Oyeyipo of the National Hospital , Abuja, poor sleep affects both children and adults with varying consequences. “Total sleep time in a full-term infant is about 16 hours but there is a decrease in total sleep time with increasing age. Majority of adults sleep 7-8 hrs /night but approximately 10% sleep […]
According to Dr Yemisi Oyeyipo of the National Hospital , Abuja, poor sleep affects both children and adults with varying consequences. “Total sleep time in a full-term infant is about 16 hours but there is a decrease in total sleep time with increasing age. Majority of adults sleep 7-8 hrs /night but approximately 10% sleep less than 5hrs and 2% sleep more than 10hrs. The optimal sleep duration is 8-9 hours a night although many individuals tend to function on less sleep,” she said.
You may not know what inadequate sleep can do to you; it can affect your looks, health, sex drive, mood, memory and your ability to learn, assimilate and retain information.
Sometimes the result of insufficient sleep could be deadly especially when driving or operating some sensitive household appliances. Sleeping less affects your longevity and safety and so many other aspects negatively.
On sex drive: People, who do not have quality sleep, mostly have low libidos. Inadequate sleep results to one having less strength and more tension which restrain sexual urge. As a result of inadequate sleep, men have lower testosterone level.
On health: Scientists discovered that insufficient sleep may cause health challenges by altering level of hormones involved in such processes as stress response, appetite regulation and metabolism. It could also cause: irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease.
On the mood: Lack of sleep when accumulated could cause depression and unrest which might over time result into aggression and sluggishness.
On the memory: Lack or inadequate sleep makes it difficult for one to recall past events easily, it causes high level of perplexity which can lead to constant forgetfulness.
On looks: Insufficient sleep makes you look tired, dull, unhappy, and older than your age and make one appear unprepared.
Dr Yemisi Oyeyipo said sleep disorders are very common and up to 20% of the adult population has some form of sleep disorder. In adults, poor sleep hygiene, that is, an inconsistent sleep and waking up time, is the commonest cause of impaired sleep. Shift work and time zone changes (e.g. travelling to another time zone) are common reasons for an irregular sleep/wake schedule.
She also said depression and anxiety frequently cause difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep. Medical conditions such as backache, psychosis, nocturia (frequent urination at night), hypertension and some medications (caffeine, nicotine, alcohol) can also reduce sleep duration and quality. Sleep may also be impaired because of a bed partner’s sleep disorder e.g. snoring.
The medical expert said consequences of sleep disorders are: excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, reduced alertness, mood changes, headaches, cardiovascular diseases and a high risk of road traffic accidents. In children, consequences include failure to thrive, poor growth, short stature, and learning among others.
She said while sleeping well does not necessarily guarantee good health, with adequate sleep, you are less likely to get ill, you will have better sex drive, you will look more attractive and younger, you will be in an incredibly great mood, you will concentrate, learn, assimilate well and be able to make better decision, as your reasoning also becomes even clearer.