Sleep is a natural means of relaxation by remaining or lying down idle without performing any sort of function or activity. Sleep may even occur when the body reaches a point of tiredness or inability or even when staying idle for a period of time. Without sleep, there can be plenty of diseases and disorders infected in us. Sleep by providing with the level of rest; acts on the dead cells, tiredness, ailments or disorders. Sleep structures a man back completely. Sleep is a vital need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It takes 11 consecutive days without sleep to wear a person away from all his/her strength.
What happens without sleep?
As said again it just takes 11 days or 264 hours; approximately to suck a human out of life without sleep. With the time passing by; our human body starts to lose some of the traits that it boasts. Without 2 or 3 days of sleep; one can start to lose the consciousness and hallucinations kicks in. Even though there are very rare incidents for deaths caused due to Sleep Deprivation; people need to show more care about their sleeping habits and methods. Sleep deprivation may cause cognitive impairment, irritability, Delusions, paranoia, psychosis stage by stage.
Imagine 24 hours without sleep! How does it affect us?
There are certain instances we are pushed to stay awake continuously for a day or 24 hours. Our work schedules or certain circumstance pushes us through a hectic tired sleepless day. As the day progresses without sleep the blood alcohol levels in the blood start to increase. We can expect lots of effects in a sleep deprived person followed by drowsiness, cognitive as well vision and hearing impairments. Increased risk of accidents may arise if the person continues to operate a vehicle. Altered perception, memory deficits, irritability, tremors, decreased hand and eye co-ordination can also be expected when a person is a sleep deprived.
As the level of sleep deprivation moves to the next level of 36 hours; the body starts to experience a lot of altering body functions. Proper sleep-wake cycle is necessary for the regulation of certain hormones including insulin, growth hormone, cortisol etc… There can be adverse effects experienced in metabolism, appetite, temperature, mood and stress levels. Hormonal Imbalance can be found after 36 hours of sleep deprivation. Extreme Fatigue, Low motivation, Lack of concentration and focus, improper reasoning etc… also can be expected.
Food and Water intake
Sleep deprivation can have effects both on the appetite and food types a person craves. Sleep deprivation can also be caused by a large appetite following or even caused as a result of consumption of food which results in potential weight gain. When one consumes food with very fewer calories; it leaves them tired. It is advised to consume lean, protein related food for a better healthy sleep schedule. Dehydration may also have its effects on the human body. It may exacerbate the effects caused because of sleep deprivation. Grogginess and lack of concentration can be found when the body is dehydrated. It is important to drink enough water to stay hydrated.
Chronic Sleep Deprivation
Chronic Sleep Deprivation is a state where the particular person is suffering from regular loss of sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation is responsible for short terms health risks or issues and longtime health issues. In a long time sleep deprivation state; the body reduces the immune functions resulting in a number of health-related disorders. High Blood Pressure, cardiovascular disorders, obesity, neural disorders, diabetes can even be expected without a proper sleep schedule. Chronic Sleep deprivation starts to develop as a habitual function over the days with repeated and regular sleep deprivation.
Recommended Sleep times
- Newborns (0-3 months): Sleep range narrowed to 14-17 hours each day (previously it was 12-18)
- Infants (4-11 months): Sleep range widened two hours to 12-15 hours (previously it was 14-15)
- Toddlers (1-2 years): Sleep range widened by one hour to 11-14 hours (previously it was 12-14)
- Preschoolers (3-5): Sleep range widened by one hour to 10-13 hours (previously it was 11-13)
- School-age children (6-13): Sleep range widened by one hour to 9-11 hours (previously it was 10-11)
- Teenagers (14-17): Sleep range widened by one hour to 8-10 hours (previously it was 8.5-9.5)
- Younger adults (18-25): Sleep range is 7-9 hours (new age category)
- Adults (26-64): Sleep range did not change and remains 7-9 hours
- Older adults (65+): Sleep range is 7-8 hours (new age category)
Closure
There are many means of sleep aids and sleep inducer available for a better quality of sleep. There are many people who prevent or procrastinate their sleep while there are millions waiting to get that sleep. Sleep is a very important source of nutrition our body gets. Without proper sleep, our body will suffer a diverse range of ailments and disorders.
Ref: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/press-release/national-sleep-foundation-recommends-new-sleep-times