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Autumn Hyland

Professor Cassel

ENG 1202.501

10 April 2022

The Real Issues Caused by Sleep Deprivation

The American Sleep Association states that 50 to 70 million adults in the U.S. are

affected by a sleep disorder. According to the CDC, the average adult is recommended to sleep at

least seven or more hours each night. Seven may seem like a high number to most adults, but the

number of hours of sleep increases as age decreases. Sleep is crucial not only for adults but also

for children and teens. Sleep may seem like it would not affect the psychological aspect of the

body, but it can cause a lot of damage. Sleep allows the body to repair itself while consolidating

previously learned information. Without adequate sleep each night, one could gain various

diseases like depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure.

Starting with the different types of sleep deprivation. The first is Acute sleep deprivation

when someone is not getting enough sleep for a short period. Another is chronic sleep

deprivation, which is also known as insufficient sleep syndrome when a person is not getting

enough sleep in the time span of three months or longer. Next is chronic sleep deficiency or poor

sleep and ongoing sleep deprivation, usually because of disruptions at night or sleep

fragmentations. Insomnia is similar to sleep deprivation, but it is somewhat different. People

with insomnia have trouble sleeping even when they have plenty of time for rest, but people with

sleep deprivation do not have enough time allocated for sleep. An example of sleep deprivation

is when a person dealing with a busy work schedule cannot obtain enough time to rest, while a

person who has insomnia has too much free time on their hands and still cannot fall asleep.
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Although those aspects are opposites, they both involve an issue with trying to fall asleep, which

can cause severe damage to the body. I will be using insomnia and sleep deprivation to prove

why sleep is so vital for both the mind and body.

A person who does not sleep at least 7 hours a night will show signs of sleep deprivation

such as frequent yawning, irritability, and daytime fatigue. The Healthline states multiple issues

sleep deprivation can cause to someone's physical health. Little to no sleep can affect the

immune system. While a person sleeps, the immune system produces infection-fighting

substances that help fight off foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria. If a person is not getting

enough time to sleep, the body won't be able to create those antibodies to fight off any

sicknesses. Another system that can be affected inside the body is the cardiovascular system

because sleep keeps the blood vessels and heart healthy, affecting blood sugar. Since sleep plays

a vital role in healing the heart and blood vessels, it can help prevent cardiovascular disease. The

Endocrine system can also be negatively affected by sleep deprivation. The endocrine system is

where the production of hormones is created, and if one does not get enough sleep at night, it can

affect the growth hormone production that helps the body build muscle mass and repair tissues

and cells. If that gets too high, it can cause high blood pressure and inflation levels. These are

just a few issues sleep deprivation can cause.

I am going deeper into why the immune system causes these destructive issues and why

sleep is crucial for everyday life. Bodies release proteins called cytokines, and those unfamiliar

cytokines promote sleep. When the body takes in a virus or infection, some cytokines need to

increase to fight diseases and keep the body healthy. When the body does not get enough sleep,

the body will decrease the production of cytokines which can be deadly for the body. Since this

allows bacteria to enter and, like the antibodies, the cytokines can not help; it can lead to long-
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term damage to the body. Instead of a short sickness, the body can cause brain damage and

deteriorate memories, and not only the brain but signs of insomnia will show physically on the

body. Like cytokines, the body also has hormones that control metabolism, appetite, and glucose

processing. When the body is not getting enough sleep each night, the production of cortisol

(stress hormones) will be increased. Cortisols are not the only hormones thrown off; various

other hormones can cause serious issues. The increased cortisol can lead to too much glucose in

the body; Therefore, the body can gain diseases like type two diabetes. Reviewing the body’s

anatomy helps determine the background for why all these issues of lack of sleep can occur.

For example, a significant study published in the journal Nature Communications

followed 8,000 50-year-olds in Britain for 25 years and found that those who slept less than 7

hours were 30 percent more likely than those who got their 7 hours of sleep to get diagnosed

with dementia. New York Times Magazine found that 71,617 women were followed around for a

decade by the Nurses’ Health Study and found that those who slept 8 hours or more had the

lowest risk of developing heart disease. There is plenty of historical evidence to prove sleep is a

crucial aspect of life. Some of the most significant environmental disasters have been caused by

sleep deprivation, such as the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island in 1979, the nuclear

meltdown at Chornobyl in 1986, and the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. Thousands of

drowsy drivers cause crashes, injuries, and fatalities every year. Lives are being taken monthly

due to reckless drivers who do not get enough sleep. Sleep can affect a person physically and

mentally, as shown in whoever caused these accidents.

Dan Ford, a Behavioral Sleep Psychologist, reviews more examples of mental health

issues sleep deprivation can have on the body on Healthnavigator. If someone has problems

sleeping, they may feel more anxious, depressed, or suicidal. Even worse than anxiety, there
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could be psychotic episodes triggered by mania (extreme mood changes), paranoia (visualizing

false objects), and or psychosis (affects the brain’s process), all symptoms caused by poor sleep.

There are also links with insomnia and multiple other diseases. First, there is PTSD/trauma, and

sleep deprivation occurs in up to 90% of people who have PTSD since they have gone through

previous trauma, which can affect them majorly in their sleep. Second is Bipolar disorder,

somewhere between 70-90% of people struggle with sleep deprivation and bipolar disorder

because they constantly have racing thoughts when trying to sleep. The third is ADHD; 65% of

adults who experience sleeping problems struggle with ADHD. These issues are caused because

one is too hyperactive, which also affects children detrimentally. These are the most severe

mental health issues that could be brought on by insomnia or sleep deprivation. There are less

severe issues: sleep deprivation and insomnia could cause problems such as struggling to

concentrate throughout the day, feeling lonely or isolated, or feeling super irritable with

everything going on in their lives.

There is research behind the issues that are caused by loss of sleep. Writer Hans P.A Van

Dongen talks about the impact of sleep deprivation on declarative memory in Chapter 2 of his

book, Sleep Deprivation, and Cognition. He states, “Sleep plays a crucial role in memory

stabilization and integration, yet many people obtain insufficient sleep.” He knows how crucial it

truly is because it can lead to problems when consolidating, encoding, and retrieving memories.

When there is an issue with retrieving memories and information, there is a problem with the

neurophysiological process. Looking back on previous studies, Van Dongen found that after

someone learns anything and soon loses sleep post-learning, they will forget the information and

possibly recover it over time. In contrast, they have discovered new studies that find that a

person who can get multiple successful nights of sleep in a row can impair the memories and
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functions of the brain. Some may believe it is okay not to get a consecutive number of hours of

sleep each night, and naps can be just as productive, but that is only somewhat correct.

Afternoon naps can reduce sleepiness while improving vigilance and memory, but it is not

optimal for neurobehavioral functions. Letting the body rest for hours each night is key to a fully

functioning nervous system.

In addition to the other studies on various patients, a study was done on a 13-year-old boy

put in a psychiatry ward in Kohnodai Hospital in Japan. He was admitted by his parents and

diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a pattern of

unwanted thoughts that lead to repetitive behaviors. The article describes his life and how he

turned from an ordinary boy to an obsessive, aggressive young boy. Later on, the report talks

about how he had difficulty sleeping, which began to affect him mentally. He began overthinking

everything and living in fear of all things living. He went into psychosis and imagined the worst

that could happen to him and his family. Of course, he did have a disorder, but sleep deprivation

came along with the disease and caused him severe mental issues. Similar to previous data, there

was a connection between the boy’s OCD and insomnia, which affected how he thought. He was

not the only poor sour that has to deal with sleep deprivation and other diagnosed diseases all at

once. The boy is a prime example of what can happen to anyone who does not get the correct

amount of sleep per night, and sadly for him, his mind was taken over, and he was no longer

himself. Sleep is vital to all people, no matter their age.

Alan G wade, the author of a published article, states that most people with severe

insomnia remain untreated. This could be because people having constant issues sleeping don’t

realize it is an acute disease that needs to be treated as soon as possible. Although, after one loses

sleep each night consecutively, they should be checked and diagnosed. Some medicines can be
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given to people with insomnia, but they cannot be prescribed if not diagnosed. Previous studies

have found that insomnia and depression are linked, and if one does not already have depression,

insomnia causes a high risk of obtaining depression. Contrastingly, people with depression may

show signs of frequent insomnia, making it very hard to get treated with antidepressants. It has

been found that patients with depression can be hard to contain when they have a high level of

sleep insomnia. Then leads to the noncompliance of the patient under therapy. People with sleep

deprivation and any diagnosed diseases can be hard to treat since the brain cannot function

properly. If a person just gets the suggested amount of sleep per night, there would be no

connections between insomnia and diseases; It could even stop the disease, depending on which

occurs first. The frequent comorbid between insomnia and depression gives another example of

how sleep can affect the mind and its actions.

Subsequently, lack of sleep can lead to many long-term consequences. Getting less than

seven hours of sleep each night can cause elevated hypertension (blood pressure). Of course, the

brain cannot process information correctly with inadequate hours of sleep, but Why? The first

instance to cover is the symptoms of an exhausted brain, such as mental fog, short temper,

fatigue, and a lack of controlled focus. Faulty brain functions can occur because the mental

faculties can decrease drastically when the brain is not getting enough sleep. These functions that

can be taken out by sleep deprivation are reflexes such as motor skills and balance, resulting in

them injuring themselves while trying to move. Without adequate sleep, a person cannot feel as

sharp as they usually do, meaning they cannot concentrate and learn and are deprived of their

problem-solving skills. To add, when the body’s hormones are thrown off, it can cause fertility

problems, and this is because part of the brain controls the circadian rhythms, which releases the

reproductive hormone. When there is a lack of sleep, the hormones are not being produced
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correctly, leading to problems. Anyone who tries to conceive a new baby cannot if they are not

getting enough sleep per night. The impact of sleep can cause more significant issues going into

the future.

Going back to lack of alertness, missing a few extra hours of sleep a night can

considerably impact the day. Since it can cause excessive drowsiness, it could affect the quality

of life, meaning one could feel less up to participating in normal daily activities and having fun.

Impaired memory is another problem sleep deprivation can cause, which affects the brain,

making it hard to retrieve previous memories when speaking to others. If adults want to feel fully

energized for their day and not always moody and exhausted, they should get at least 7 hours of

sleep each night. In addition to talking to people, it can cause stress in any relationship due to the

lack of sleep one slept the night before. A person could feel more moody than usual, which can

cause conflict with anyone they come into contact. Those are just short-term issues; chronic

sleep deprivation can cause long-term problems like diabetes, heart failure, heart attack, or

stroke. Again along with reduced immune system functions, lack of sleep can lead to obesity and

premature wrinkles and dark circles under the eyes. Evidence proves sleep can not only affect the

brain but also the physical appearance of a person.

Apart from this, I will continue investigating the possible diseases caused by sleep

deprivation. The first I have already covered is diabetes, but this can happen because people who

tend to sleep less do not allow their bodies to regulate those blood sugars, which can cause a high

risk of metabolic conditions. It can be hard to maintain a healthy weight when one is getting poor

sleep each night because insomniacs tend to consume more calories and carbohydrates, which

can cause high percentages of fat within the body. As previously stated, the immune system can

be affected, leading to immunodeficiency, which means the worsening of the immune system. A
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weakened immune system does not sound like the worst possible outcome of poor sleep, but it

can cause the person to become very sick and cause them to have poor reactions to vaccinations

that are supposed to help them, not hurt them. Without enough time for the body to repair itself,

it can make a person’s bones feel weak and their body altogether. Weak bones can cause

significant pain when trying to do normal daily activities or even falling asleep at night, causing

less and less sleep over time. This is the opposite of what they would need since they are

substantially in need of rest. The most extensive connection sleep can be tied to is death! These

critical impacts on the body scream to people to get a good night’s sleep each night.

As stated above, I will follow up on the most prominent concern sleep can cause the

connection between sleep deprivation and death. The risk of disease is the most significant

reason not enough sleep can lead to things such as death, but there are various other reasons as

well. It is proven that people who get the right amount of sleep each night, not too little nor too

small, tend to live happier longer lives. Other symptoms of sleep depression are fatigue,

irritability, headaches, slow physical and mental reaction time, and trouble concentrating. These

symptoms can lead to worse illnesses, but the essential aspect of life is happiness, and someone

who is struggling with these issues is not thriving in life. Someone living in this world struggling

with sleep deprivation is not living to their total ability because when they are always tired and

the mind is not processing correctly, life is just dull. When a person begins to think negatively

about any aspect of life, they may start to consider suicide or eventually cause death from their

depression. Another example I have previously stated could go along with this fact, but a

decrease in sleep can increase the risk of car accidents both night and day. The safest way to live

each day can only be lived when one gets enough sleep per night.
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I will further detail why others may see sleep in a different perception. Some may

believe sleep can cause drowsiness and the mind should get less sleep; they may consider this

because if they get too much sleep during the day after taking a nap or going to bed way earlier

than usual, it can cause them to wake up less alert. This makes sense because that can happen,

but they have to think about the body itself and how it functions. The central part that controls

everything in the body is the brain, and overnight the brain rest and allows the body to repair

itself and rest. Without proper sleep, it will not allow the body functions because it is deprived of

sleep. Most of these problems come from naps in the middle of the day since the brain does not

have enough time to repair; this proves that naps do not allow the body to have optimal

neurobehavioral functions. When one does not get enough sleep the night before, a nap will

release serotonin in the body, leading to disruptions in their nighttime sleep the night after,

leading to headaches and pain in the brain the morning after. After looking at my opinion, it is

also a fact that if someone gets too much sleep, it could cause chronic diseases like coronary

heart disease. But overall, people are more at risk for all other diseases sleep deprivation can

cause. Too much sleep can be inadequate for the body, but the right amount of seven hours each

night would benefit the body optimally.

Studies prove that a person can not live without optimal sleep each night. Rest is needed

because it can lead to long-term effects on the body. It can cause physical health problems with

your immune system, cardiovascular system, and endocrine system, which can cause more long-

term severe physical issues like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and strokes.

Sleep deprivation and insomnia can cause mental problems such as depression, anxiety,

irritability, stress, and mood disorders like bipolar disorder. Other than the systems in the body, it

can cause drowsiness which can affect your mood and your aspect of life, which can cause
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suicidal thoughts due to depression. Seven hours of sleep is recommended for all adults for their

mental and physical health.

ASA Authors & ReviewersSleep Physician at American Sleep Association Reviewers and

WritersBoard-certified sleep M.D. physicians. “Sleep Statistics: Data about Sleep

Disorders.” American Sleep Association, www.sleepassociation.org/about-sleep/sleep-

statistics/. Accessed 10 April 2022.

Brandon Peters, MD. “Can Sleep Deprivation Cause Your Death? the Role of Accidents,

Disease.” Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 5 July 2021, www.verywellhealth.com/can-

sleep-deprivation-cause-your-death-3015067. Accessed 27 March 2022

Brody, Jane E. “The Health Toll of Poor Sleep.” The New York Times, 6 December 2021,

www.nytimes.com/2021/12/06/well/mind/sleep-health.html. Accessed 27 March 2022.

“Can Lack of Sleep Make You Sick?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education

and Research, 28 Nov. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/expert-

answers/lack-of-sleep/faq-20057757.

Ford, Dan. “How Does Sleep Affect Mental Wellbeing?: Health Navigator NZ.” Health

Navigator New Zealand, 26 October 2021,

www.healthnavigator.org.nz/healthy-living/s/sleep-and-mental-health/. Accessed 27

March 2022.

“Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical

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www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-

causes/syc-20354432. Accessed 10 April 2022.

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“Proceedings of the 20th Annual Conference of the Japanese Association for Adolescent

Psychotherapy, 16 November 2002, Tokyo, Japan.” Psychiatry & Clinical

Neurosciences, vol. 57, no. 5, Oct. 2003, pp. S37–42. EBSCOhost,

doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1819.2003.01166.x. Accessed 27 March 2022.

“Progress in Brain Research.” Progress in Brain Research | Sleep Deprivation and

Cognition | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier, www.sciencedirect.com/bookseries/progress-

in-brain-research/vol/246/suppl/C. Accessed 27 March 2022.

SingleCare Team | Updated on Jan. 20, et al. “How Much Sleep Does the Average American

Get?” The Checkup, 20 Jan. 2022, www.singlecare.com/blog/news/sleep-statistics/.

Accessed 27 March 2022.

Theobald, Mikel, et al. “What Happens When You Don't Sleep for Days.” EverydayHealth.com,

www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/what-happens-when-you-dont-sleep-days/.

Accessed 27 March 2022.

Team, Brain and Spine. “Here's What Happens When You Don't Get Enough Sleep (and How

Much You Really Need a Night).” Cleveland Clinic, 25 Mar. 2022,

health.clevelandclinic.org/happens-body-dont-get-enough-sleep/. Accessed 27 March

2022.
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Wade, Alan G. “Sleep Problems in Depression: How Do They Impact Treatment and

Recovery?” International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, vol. 10, Mar. 2006,

pp. 38–44. EBSCOhost, doi.org/10.1080/13651500600552594. Accessed 27 March 2022.

Watson, Stephanie. “11 Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Your Body.” Healthline,

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www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body. Accessed 27 March 2022.