Week 3: Sleep Deprivation: The Effects

“It can cause irritability, poor productivity, and stress management deficiencies, “ says Colleen Bazzani, sleep educator, registered sleep technologist, and respiratory therapist at Methodist Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Center. “And studies show sleep deprivation can impair your immune system and put you at a higher risk for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and depression. In the long run, what happens at night affects what happens to your body during the day.”

Bazzani also notes that people who don’t dream—or never reach the deep, REM stage of sleep—can develop long- and short-term memory loss.

“Because sleep is a relatively new field of study, we’re in a huge learning curve,” Bazzani says. “There’s a lot we don’t know; but we do know lack of sleep leads to problems mentally and physically.”

For many of us, sleep takes a back seat to work, family, and other responsibilities, yet Bazzani believes sleep should be a priority in life.

“Society as a whole typically carries this badge of honor if you’re not sleeping much and you’re a hard worker,” she says. “We should be reversing that. Sleep should be as important as diet and exercise.”

Short-Term Effects of Sleep Deprivation
+ Decreased productivity
+ Irritability
+ Drowsiness

Long-Term Effects of Sleep Deprivation
+ Impaired immune system
+ Hypertension + Diabetes
+ Weight gain
+ Depression
+ Memory loss
+ Tremors

Back to Sleep Deprivation Series Index »