If you’re struggling with insomnia or a related sleep disorder like sleep apnea, the long-term impact on your body may be harsh. Katharine Christian, DMD, at The Snoring and Sleep Apnea Center can help you manage your sleep issues, so you can start on the path to better physical health.

Lack of sleep can have a detrimental impact on everyday activities such as work or school. It can also cause issues with cognitive functions, like focusing, learning and the ability to judge the emotions and reactions of other people. 

If you struggle with lack of adequate sleep, you’re not alone. Approximately 50-70 million Americans struggle with some kind of sleep disorder. Many people don’t realize how badly a lack of sleep affects their health, but research has shown that getting enough quality sleep is important for your mental health.

Dr. Christian wants you to know some of the ways a lack of sleep can harm your body:

Increased Risk for Obesity

Lack of sleep places you at risk for obesity and obesity related disorders, such as diabetes, There is a strong link between lack of sleep and weight gain. Lack of adequate sleep is a strong factor in becoming obese.

Concentration and Productivity

Sleep deprivation can hamper your cognition, concentration, productivity and performance. Some studies have shown that sleep deprivation can have the same impact on your brain as alcohol intoxication. Good sleep, on the other hand, can enhance your brain skills, such as the ability to solve problems and improve your memory. 

Heart Disease and Stroke

Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between a lack of quality sleep and the risk of heart disease and stroke. This also includes a risk of developing high blood pressure. Getting at least seven hours of quality sleep can decrease your risk of these serious conditions, making it a very good reason to seek out the help of pulmonologists and sleep medicine experts who can help you mitigate these risks.

Increased Risk of Depression

Are you struggling with depression, but can’t figure out what is behind it? It’s possible that a lack of sleep is contributing to the problem. A Journal of the American Medical Association study of suicides over a 10-year period concluded that the lack of sleep often played a role.

Approximately 90% of people who struggle with depression also report a lack of quality sleep. In fact, many mental health issues can be linked to poor sleep or sleeping disorders.

If you recognize yourself in any of these risk factors, or if you’re struggling with insomnia or a sleep disorder, you should give our experienced, compassionate physicians and staff at The Snoring and Sleep Apnea Center a call today at 206-905-6998. You can also use the online feature to request your appointment, or send the team a message here on our website.