Lack of Sleep Increases Chances of Diabetes in Young

It has long been known that a good night's sleep of six to eight hours a night is good for one's health. A well-rested body helps rejuvenate and improves overall health. Sleep is as important to a person's health as is food or water. Indeed, recent studies suggest that lack of sleep in healthy, young individuals between the ages of twenty and thirty-one may actually increase their risk of developing diabetes later in life.

Lack of sleep

Not enough sleep causes insulin sensitivity to decline

Researchers at the University Of Chicago Medical Center studied the effect lack of sleep has on a person's insulin sensitivity. According to the researchers, interrupted sleep gave the participants glucose and insulin metabolisms of people three times their age. This means that interrupted sleep could well increase one's chances of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. And as the lack of quality sleep increased, the sensitivity to insulin continued to decline.

The converse was also found to be true. Improving the quality of sleep, especially for people that are obese, could be an important step in helping to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes

When the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore insulin, the condition is called type 2 diabetes. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. Without the presence of insulin, the glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells causing them to be starved for energy. Overtime, high blood glucose levels could hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

Sleep deprivation on the rise

In the industrialized world, sleep deprivation is rising to epidemic proportions. Many people experience pressures and stress of modern life resulting from a hectic work schedule, family life and other pursuits. Consequentially, there is little time left for sleep. People that short-change their selves with consistent lack of sleep are actually damaging their resistance and leaving themselves open to attack from dozens of life threatening diseases.

The trend toward less sleep is unfortunately increasing. Twenty years ago, people slept an average of seven and a half to eight hours per night. Today people sleep an average of six or less hours per night. Researchers suggest that this may not be as a result of sleep apnea, but rather the pressures of everyday life.

Sleep deprivation affects us more than we think

The lack of awareness of sleep deprivation compounds after years. Eventually, people come to expect their lack of sleep. But the human body does not adjust. Consequently, people are less aware of the additional stress that they are experiencing. Researchers suggest that sleep deprivation decreases performance and alertness in everyday life. By reducing nighttime sleep by as little as one and a half hours per night, daytime alertness could be reduced by as much as thirty percent.

Decreased alertness can cause a snowball effect on one's life. Memory and cognitive impairment is decreased, which then could decrease one's quality of life because of a lack of attention. Concentration is affected and this could lead to a whole host of side effects.

Tips to increase sleep

Healthy sleep is an activity and an exercise. Some tips to increase quality of sleep include a consistent nighttime routine as well as limiting caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Researchers suggest a sleep environment that creates a relaxing atmosphere. If you feel that you have tried everything and still cannot get a restful night sleep, consult your healthcare provider.