1) Many people do not get enough sleep due to late nights on Facebook or in front of the TV. But they still need to get up early the next morning to commute long distances to work. So, instead of staying alert throuh the day, these people nod off during the day due to sleep deprivation. This slows down reflexes, decreases alertness and work output.
2) Lack of sleep has serious health consequences. It leads the sufferer to get easily stressed, lose his temper often and prone to hypertension (high blood pressure) which leads to cardiovascular disease, that in turn affect heart health.
3) In everyday matters, sleep deprivation impacts on many routine tasks such as driving, for instance. Sleep deprived people tend to nod off while driving and are unaware of it. The many instances of road rage are also due to lack of sleep which makes an individual short-tempered.
4) Lack of proper sleep also throws a person’s circadian rhythm out of sync. This rhythm is important as it determines how your body reacts to the environment around you such as light and darkness. People on night shifts are harder hit as their sleep and wake patterns turn upside down.
5) During Ramadan, the pattern of sleep is disturbed more as one stays up late and gets up early for ‘sohour’, the early morning meal and prayers, so it is even more important to get proper sleep during this period.
Information: Dr Lalit Uchil, specialist physician and medical director, Mediclinic, Al Safouh
