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Sleep deprivation is a big problem in modern society. According to a report by Sleep Association, about 70 million US adults have a sleep disorder. About 9-21% of women have obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.
Without a doubt, sleep disorders are a big problem. More than 1550 fatalities and over 40,000 nonfatal injuries are reported annually in the United States as a result of drowsy driving. Lack of sleep can ruin your entire day.
Like I mentioned above, it will cause a serious problem like drowsy driving that usually leads to an auto crash. When you have an inadequate sleep, it affects your normal functioning of attention. It also disrupts your ability to focus on environmental sensory input.
You accumulate a sleep debt when you fail to get the required amount of sufficient sleep. Sleep deprivation could be a symptom of an undiagnosed sleep disorder or other medical problems.
New research has shown that women who get less than the recommended 8 hours of sleep every night are at higher risk of heart diseases and heart-related problems than men with the same sleeping patterns.
Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Women
Sleep deprivation will undoubtedly ruin your day and make you feel extremely miserable. It could also impact your memory. However, new research has now shown that sleep deprivation has a more terrifying effect on women than men.
In a study at Uppsala University in Sweden, 12 men and 12 women were tested to see how sleep deprivation affects them. The participants were made to pull an all-nighter. All participants were then assigned a memory task that involved an eight-digit sequence the next morning.
This test was designed to test their working memory, which is known as short-term memory or recent memory. Surprisingly, men’s working memory wasn’t affected by sleep loss, but women’s memory was.
What was more disturbing about this result is that women weren’t aware of their decline in working memory due to loss of sleep. According to the authors, this could lead to serious accidents and mistakes.
According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep deprivation in women could seriously affect your mood and also increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, as well as other conditions. Centers for Disease Control recommended that adults get at least 7 hours of sleep per night.
Other studies have shown that women need about 20 more minutes of sleep than men do. This is because they expend more mental energy during the day. Women multitask more than men, which means they use their brains more than their male counterparts and would, therefore, require more sleep time to refresh the brain.
Unfortunately, women are more prone to sleep apnea and insomnia compared to men. Over 15% of women report having sleeping troubles compared to just 8% of men. Like we pointed out above, women don’t handle sleep deprivation as well as their male counterparts. Women are likely to exhibit more anger, depression, and hostility than men when they are deprived of sleep.
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Other Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Women Include:
Risk of Diabetes
Your body release of insulin is affected when you have sleep deprivation. Thus, your chances of developing type-2 diabetes significantly increase when you don’t get enough sleep.
Weakened Immunity
Your body’s defense against diseases is impaired with a lack of sleep. You are more likely to get affected by cold and flu when you don’t have enough sleep.
Low Sex Drive
Sleep deprivation also affects your sex drive. It is generally known that women who don’t get enough sleep have a lower libido.
Risk of Heart Disease
Your chances of heart disease also increase when you lack sleep. This is because sleep deprivation causes increased blood pressure and higher levels of chemicals linked to inflammation. You must get enough sleep to avoid this problem.
Poor Balance
When you are sleep deprived, you will be less productive. Your productivity is not the only thing that is affected; it will also affect your balance and coordination. When this happens, you will be prone to falls and other physical accidents.
Weight Gain
Consistent sleep deprivation leads to weight gain. This is a result of the fact that the chemicals that signal your brain that you are full are off-balance. Thus, you are more likely to eat more than required, which will cause weight gain.
Accidents
Sleep deprivation causes you to be drowsy. Generally, it is recommended that you don’t drive when you are sleep deprived to avoid accidents.
Final Words
Sleep deprivation is a big problem among women. When you find yourself not getting enough sleep as required, you will need to take action immediately. Don’t wait until something happens before you take action; there are pills and other methods you can use to ensure you have a more peaceful night’s sleep.
-Shameka Renee
Results may vary. Information and statements made are for general purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Her Own Health does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Her Own Health are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
