Above we mentioned the different symptoms of the three sleep disorders and the four major factors. This article will point out six major health problems caused by long-term insomnia.
Why is adequate, good sleep so important for health?
First, the body's biological clock responds to the 24-hour light and dark cycle every day. Controlled by the superior nucleus of the hypothalamus, it coordinates the rhythmic movements of other organs in the body. The signals sent by the circadian clock will affect our endocrine system. For example, the superior chiasmatic nucleus will send a signal to the pineal gland of the brain according to the circadian clock to release melatonin and regulate the sleep cycle at night. At the same time, every tissue, gland, and organ in our body operates on a circadian rhythm. Therefore, adequate sleep time and good sleep quality are extremely important to maintain healthy body functions. Otherwise, it will cause circadian rhythm imbalance, lead to endocrine and autonomic nervous system disorders, and affect the normal operation of various organs in the body. In the long run, it will cause six major health problems:
1. Decreased immunity
The third and fourth stages of the sleep cycle are important for the body's repair functions. Since most growth hormone is secreted during this stage, sleep deprivation can slow down the body's healing rate, affect immune activity, and reduce the production of new neurons, leading to a decline in the body's immunity.
2. Cause cardiovascular disease
When we are asleep, our breathing slows down, and our heartbeat and blood pressure drop. Mentioned in the previous article (details can be found: If you are suffering from insomnia, it is best to come in and take a look! Look at the 4 major causes of sleep disorders and the 6 major crises one by one (1)) When the human body enters deep sleep, the heart rate and muscle tension Temperature and metabolism will be reduced to a minimum, allowing our bodies to get sufficient rest. However, suffering from sleep disorders and long-term insomnia can lead to excessive sympathetic nervous system excitement, increased blood pressure, and accelerated heart rate. At the same time, adrenaline will continue to be secreted, and the chance of blood vessel damage is higher, and the risk of cardiovascular disease is greatly increased.
3. Emotional problems such as depression and anxiety
There is a causal relationship between emotional problems and insomnia. When we are in a state of depression and anxiety, we are prone to being unable to sleep, leading to insomnia. At night, we do not get enough rest and have difficulty dealing with existing negative emotions, which increases mental stress and leads to a vicious cycle.
4. Endocrine disorders and skin deterioration
Once the biological clock is disrupted, melatonin secretion cannot function normally, leading to endocrine disorders and ultimately affecting metabolism. The increased secretion of cortisol leads to excessive secretion of facial oil, which can easily lead to the formation of acne. Secondly, the barrier repair function of the skin decreases due to slow metabolism, causing the condition of our skin to deteriorate.
5. Memory loss
One of the important functions of sleep is to help us consolidate memory and combine new knowledge with past memories, thereby converting short-term memory into long-term memory. However, when we suffer from sleep disorders, the brain does not have enough time and opportunity to consolidate memories, and our memory will also weaken.
6. Obesity
When we enter deep sleep, our body secretes growth hormone and leptin, two hormones that are very important for our weight management. Growth hormone helps burn calories to avoid fat accumulation; leptin makes us feel full and controls food intake. When we have insomnia, the two hormones cannot be secreted normally, and staying up late and having insomnia makes us more likely to eat late-night snacks, increase calorie intake, and lead to obesity.
The above are the six major health crises that are easily caused by sleep disorders and long-term insomnia. If you want to know how to solve the problem of insomnia and reduce the risk of major health diseases, you can browse the next article:
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