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Although various studies have been conducted on sleep, not much has been clarified. However, various reports have made it clear that there is a close relationship between sleep and the risk of illness. There are five main functions of sleep:
- (1) Recovering from drowsiness and fatigue
- (2) Promoting memory organization and consolidation
- (3) Regulating the autonomic nervous system and hormone balance
- (4) Boosting immunity
- (5) Removing waste products from the brain
It has become clear that if sufficient sleep is not obtained due to sleep disorders or chronic sleep deprivation, known as "sleep debt," these functions are impaired, and the risk of various diseases increases.
This article will explain the various illnesses caused by sleep debt.
Various Diseases Caused by Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is directly linked to many lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Furthermore, lack of sleep can lead to emotional instability, making individuals more susceptible to depression, alcohol dependence, and drug addiction, and is also associated with a shorter lifespan.
Sleep Deprivation Harms the Brain!
The brain is the most active organ in the body, and the more it is used, the more waste products it generates. Waste products accumulated in the brain during wakefulness are mostly expelled during sleep.
Cerebrospinal fluid washes away waste products from the brain, and this process is known as the glymphatic system, named for the lymphatic-like system carried out by glial cells in the brain.
If sleep is insufficient, waste products like amyloid-beta are not properly expelled and accumulate, damaging the brain and triggering dementia such as Alzheimer's, as well as mental illnesses.
While it may seem that younger people can push themselves, these damages accumulate due to sleep deprivation, thus increasing the risk of illness in ways that are not immediately apparent.
What is Sleep Apnea Syndrome, a typical cause of sleep debt?
Sleep debt can also be caused by sleep disorders, and a typical example of such a cause is sleep apnea syndrome. During sleep, breathing repeatedly stops, leading to repeated awakenings and preventing sustained deep sleep.
Is there a perception that sleep apnea syndrome is something that overweight middle-aged men get? However, Japanese people inherently have small and recessed jaws, which narrows the airway, so it can occur regardless of age, gender, or even in thin individuals.
It affects not only adults but also children, and it can also accompany heart failure, so there is also a peak incidence in the elderly.
It is a very dangerous disease that can increase the risk of various illnesses such as lifestyle-related diseases, cerebrovascular disorders, and ischemic heart disease by 2 to 4 times, and about 40% of those with moderate to severe cases die within 8 years if left untreated.
When Sleep Rhythm is Disrupted...
Furthermore, many shift workers experience sleep disorders accompanied by poor health. This is also known as circadian rhythm sleep disorder, a condition that occurs when the body's internal rhythms, such as body temperature, become out of sync with sleep rhythms (desynchronization). Jet lag, which occurs when traveling to a different time zone, also results from a misalignment between the internal clock and the sleep-wake phase, and shift work chronically induces a state similar to jet lag.
Children's sleep deprivation is more serious
Children also experience sleep disorders, and sleep deprivation in children, especially during periods of rapid physical and brain growth, is more severe than in adults. Although the causal relationship is not clear, sleep disorders often occur in developmental disorders, and conversely, it is also suggested that sleep disorders may cause developmental disorders.
In Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, recognizing that sleep deprivation and irregular rhythms due to lifestyle often lead to school non-attendance, the "Sleep Education" project was launched to educate children about the importance of sleep. The community as a whole provides sleep education to children and their parents.
As a result, school maladjustment, emotional disorders, and especially school non-attendance, have reportedly decreased significantly. Daily behavior has improved, and academic performance has also been positively impacted.
Since many sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea syndrome, require treatment at specialized facilities, it is crucial to carefully select a "Sleep Medicine Specialist" certified by the Japanese Society of Sleep Research at a specialized medical institution for the treatment of sleep disorders.
【Reference】
※ https://jssr.jp/data/list.html
