Thousands of Americans across the country continue to lose out on the sleep that they so desperately need because of the internet, email, social media sites, video games, late night television and other distractions that come with living a modern life. Scientists have found that this lack of sleep, or too little sleep, continues to take a toll on the overall health of Americans across the country. Drinking coffee, soda, and energy drinks each day will only help people stay awake or alert for a certain length of time. Falling asleep at meetings, in class, or while performing menial tasks are not the only ill effects of too little sleep. In fact, doctors and scientists have found that too little sleep can increase the risk of developing such medical conditions as cancer, obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
 A study recently conducted has found that adults in the age range of 32-49 who sleep less than seven hours per night are more likely to become obese. The sample used in the study consisted of 10,000 Americans. Another study, known as the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study, found that irregular sleep or a lack of sleep can increase the risk of developing colon cancer, breast cancer, heart disease and diabetes. These studies have found that a lack of sleep or irregular sleep could affect the amount of crucial hormones and proteins produced by the body that play a major role in the diseases mentioned earlier. Even though some of these studies have found a correlation between irregular sleep or a lack of sleep and medical conditions, other experts feel that there is more research needed to prove this correlation.
Sleep disorders such as chronic insomnia, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems for those who suffer from these conditions. Some experts believe that a difficulty sleeping on a regular basis can be the warning sign of a serious condition that is developing in the person’s body. Doctors recommend that people who have serious trouble sleeping should consult their physician immediately to rule out any other potentially harmful illness or medical condition. Recent studies performed on the physiological aspect of the body have found that a lack of sleep can place the body into a state of high alert. When the body is in a state of high alert it will increase the production of stress hormones and drive up the body’s blood pressure. If the body’s blood pressure is driver up this can be a cause of heart attacks and strokes.
"Based on our findings, we believe that if you lose sleep that your body needs, then you produce these inflammatory markers that on a chronic basis can create low-grade inflammation and predispose you to cardiovascular events and a shorter life span," said Alexandros N. Vgontzas of Pennsylvania State University.
So, if you feel that you are barely making through the day, try to get a better night’s sleep the night before. Getting enough sleep can help a person concentrate at school and at work, drive safely, and perform daily tasks with ease.
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