Not Getting Enough Sleep Can Be Life Threatening, Research Shows

Nutriden Inc. the Calgary, Canada based nutrition supplements brand has highlighted new research which shows that sleep deprivation can lead to life threatening consequences as a part of its sleep awareness campaign.

Not getting the daily amount of 7 - 10 hours of quality sleep can give rise to sleep issues that cause many health problems such as high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, weight gain, mood swings, depression, a higher risk of diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. Each of these health problems can add to the risk of not getting sleep, creating an unhealthy cycle of sleep deprivation and sickness.

According to Tom Schumlich, CEO at Nutriden Inc. “What makes this worse is that most sleep disorders are actually treatable or preventable but as per World Sleep Society only one-third of the people suffering from these disorders seek professional help."

Whether one decides to take a mild sleep aid or seek help from their doctor, it doesn't matter as long as one finds a way to get a healthy amount of sleep each night. That's how important getting a good night's rest is to one's health. Restorative sleep is responsible for one's daytime functioning whereas not getting enough quality sleep can affect a person's well-being and satisfaction with life as they will experience depressed moods and mood swings. When one gets a quality night sleep they are more alert and are at the top of their game the next day.

According to the World Sleep Society, a new US study has estimated the annual costs of insomnia to be between $92.5 billion and $107.5 billion, with car accidents caused due to sleep issues being the primary contributing factor to this cost. People who suffer from insomnia can fall asleep at the wheel very easily, cause injury and death to themselves or others. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it is estimated at least 100,000 vehicle accidents each year are the result of sleep deprivation. These numbers are staggering when one thinks that most people take their night time sleeping habits for granted, Schumlich says.

Lack of sleep has been shown to cause a weight gain in people, bringing on issues of diabetes and obesity. Being overweight is one of the reasons people start to have issues with sleep apnea, a condition that can also result in death.

Getting medical help for chronic sleep deprivation is one of the first steps of avoiding the diseases attached to lack of sleep. For more on sleep deprivation and its consequent effects visit Nutriden Inc.’s official website.