A good night's sleep not only restores you, but is essential for long-term health. Although the body can tolerate occasional sleepless nights, chronic lack of sleep can lead to serious consequences.

Here are some long-term health risks associated with lack of sleep.

Impaired brain health

Research shows that sleep problems are linked to cognitive decline and memory loss in later life, increasing the risk of diseases such as dementia and premature brain aging.

A study that followed 600 middle-aged participants for 15 years found that those with chronic sleep disturbances experienced brain aging that was an average of 2.6 years faster than those with fewer sleep problems.

The impact of poor sleep quality on cognitive functions is important, especially in the development of Alzheimer's.

Depression and anxiety

A study suggests that chronic insomnia may lead to a higher incidence of depression and anxiety. About 40% of people with insomnia also suffer from clinical depression.

Poor sleep can worsen mood disorders, while depression and anxiety can worsen sleep problems. Improving the quality of sleep can sometimes help alleviate the symptoms of mood disorders.

Type 2 diabetes

In the short term, poor sleep is linked to poor blood sugar control, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In the study, poor sleep quality was associated with insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes, and problems metabolic such as blood sugar.

It disrupts the hormones that regulate appetite

Lack of sleep can impair hormones that regulate appetite, such as leptin and ghrelin. Leptin, which signals satiety, decreases when sleep is insufficient, making people feel hungrier. At the same time, ghrelin increases, which stimulates the appetite.

This imbalance can lead to overeating, and lack of sleep has been shown to cause people to burn more calories while taking in more food, which contributes to weight gain.

Heart disease, stroke and hypertension

The American Heart Association cites sleep as a key factor in heart health. Less than five hours of sleep is associated with a higher risk of heart disease. People with sleep apnea are also at higher risk of hypertension, heart attacks and strokes.

Kidney health

Although the relationship between sleep and kidney health is still under study, there is evidence that sleep disorders, such as insomnia and restless legs syndrome, are common in people with chronic kidney disease.

Weaker immune system

Lack of or poor sleep can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections. People who sleep less than seven hours are three times more likely to catch a cold. Lack of sleep also impairs the ability to make antibodies, which reduces the effectiveness of vaccines and makes the body more susceptible to disease.

Gut health

The health of the gut microbiome, which consists of bacteria and fungi in the digestive system, is critical to overall well-being. Disturbed sleep, especially in those who work night shifts, can negatively affect gut health and alter the balance.