Lack of sleep endangers the health

Health hazard due to lack of sleep

09/14/2014

In our modern hectic world, many people no longer find enough time for adequate sleep. Some even boast about their low sleep. But neurologists warn: Chronic fatigue not only reduces the brainpower, but probably damages the brain in the long run.

One third of life is overslept by humans
Almost a third of the lifetime is spent by a person sleeping. However, some consider this a waste of time. From the story is repeatedly reported about personalities who should have got along with very little sleep. Napoleon, Leonardo da Vinci and Margaret Thatcher were among them, but also the powerful of today's political elite like Barack Obama or Angela Merkel. There are people who boast even with their low sleep. The Chancellor says of herself that she „camelike skills“ I have a certain storage capacity, but then have to refuel again.

Brain is sensitive to sleep deprivation
However, the brain is sensitive to sleep deprivation. Concentration ability and memory performance, for example, suffer fairly quickly. The development of dementia can also be promoted, as neurologists warn. The modern world is increasingly characterized by hectic rush and stress. „In our information society we sleep one to one and a half hours shorter than in the 1960s“, explained Geert Mayer, neurologist and chief physician of the Hephata clinic in Schwalmstadt according to a dpa message.“We have relative sleep deprivation - all.“

„Sleep disorders are a common disease“
From 15 to 19 September, the processes in the brain during sleep are also the topic at the 87th Congress of the German Neurological Society in Munich. Up to 7,000 experts in neurology, neuropediatrics, neuropathology, neurosurgery and neuroradiology will also be involved in stroke, dementia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, paralysis, pain and dizziness syndromes and 200 other diseases. As Congress President Wolfgang Oertel said, sleep plays a far greater role in the development of many diseases than previously thought. The meaning is usually underestimated. Thus, about ten percent of the population can not sleep chronically or sleep through. „Sleep disorders are a common disease, but are treated only as a disability“, so Mayer. „Sleep is an essential part of life.“

Little sleep favors the development of dementia
New studies on animals support the suspicion that too little sleep over years favors the development of dementia. Mayer explained that certain breakdown products in the brain were carried away during sleep and accumulated in deficiency. „This can lead to early damage to the brain that we do not even notice.“ Even though sleep deprivation causes no damage in the short term, functions in the brain are impaired. This is how concentration, thinking and performance decrease. For jobs such as train drivers or bus drivers, there are good reasons for driving time. Politicians, on the other hand, are still allowed to control the fate of their citizens during night-time rounds of negotiations.

On average, a person needs seven hours of sleep
Learning is also impaired by lack of sleep because memory contents are stored and solidified during sleep. A person needs on average seven hours of sleep. „However, there are genetically caused short and long sleepers. Some people come up with five hours, others need nine hours“, Mayer explained. A problem that appears, however, is: „Today, many people no longer know how much sleep they need. This is similar to eating: The self-perception is missing.“ In his opinion, this contributes to the constant availability of media entertainment. „You can watch TV all night - earlier, at twelve o'clock came the test picture.“ In addition, there is a lack of awareness of the importance of sleep. „Every child says: It needs sleep. Everything seems to be wiped out in adults.“

Higher disease risk due to sleep disorders
Some people hardly allow themselves time to sleep, others wallow agonizing at night. Diseases such as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) or sleep apnea, in which respiratory misfires cause poor sleep and later daytime fatigue, make those affected hardly able to rest. This often opens the door for further problems. Thus, people who sleep too little, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, obesity or obesity or diabetes. As Mayer explained, metabolism changes due to lack of sleep, insulin sensitivity decreases, and the risk of type 2 diabetes increases. According to Oertel, sleep problems can also precede depression by several years. Mayer summarized: „People with sleep disorders have a higher disease risk and die earlier.“

Effective help with sleep problems
Some people still try to reduce their sleep needs with new tricks. At present polyphasic sleep models are in fashion. Sleep short and deep, recover quickly and save time. Mayer said that the traditional afternoon nap is useful, because the body in the afternoon lowers the temperature and go to sleep. He warned, however: „It is nonsense that you can save two hours sleep at noon with 20 minutes of sleep.“ If sleep disorders are the reason that people do not come to rest, they can rely on proven home remedies or natural herbal remedies. Thus, relaxation techniques such as autogenic training, yoga, meditation or progressive muscle relaxation can be a very effective aid to healthy sleep. Since stress is a common cause of sleep problems, there are also general methods for reducing stress. Many also swear by valerian to find enough sleep. (Ad)