A paper published by the American Medical Association examines the connection between stress and sleep disorders. The lack of sleep causes the release of stress hormones that cause potentially serious health problems.
A chronic lack of sleep increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Prolonged sleeplessness causes the body to release cortisol, a stress hormone that regulates the blood sugar glucose, into the bloodstream. This leads to an increase in blood glucose, prompting more insulin release and leading to insulin resistance that can lead to type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Stress hormones released due to sleep deprivation also affect your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections, and to developing cancer.
Chronic lack of sleep also accelerates the aging process. The article goes on to list some habits to aid getting a good night’s sleep.
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