Four Serious Health Challenges Posed By Sleep deprivation.
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Foreign researchers from China and the United States have revealed four health conditions caused by sleep deprivation.
The researchers warned that sleep deprivation can cause:
Obesity.
Diabetes.
High blood pressure.
Both stem cells in the cornea and tear film surface.
With a focus on the tear film surface of the cornea, the researchers explained their findings in a study published by Stem Cell Reports.
According to Scientists, sleep deprivations can affect both stem cells in the cornea and the tear film surface of the cornea.
In the published study, the researchers used mice to learn about the impact of sleep deprivation on the eye.
What is the cornea?
The authors explained that the cornea is the clear front surface of the eye. They also said the cornea has an overlying tear film that shields the eyes from infections and keeps them comfortable.
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The study read:
“Sleep is a fundamental biological requirement for all animals. Appropriate quality and quantity of sleep are essential for the maintenance of mental and physical health.
“Due to the societal pressures and light pollution, sleep deficiency has become a common public health problem, affecting approximately 10 per cent to 20 per cent of individuals worldwide, especially children and young adults.”
After 48 hours of sleep deprivation, the researchers evaluated gene expression in the mice. It was repeated after 10 days of sleep deprivation.
At the two-day point, 287 genes were significantly upregulated while 88 were downregulated in the corneas.
At the 10-day point, they found 272 significantly upregulated genes and 150 down-regulated genes.
After one or two months of further sleep deprivation, the cornea of the mice was less transparent. Also, the ocular surface became rough and dry.
The authors of the study further revealed that the thickness of the corneal epithelium reduced significantly after one or two months of sleep deprivation. This eventually led to limbal stem cell deficiency.
Limbal stem cell deficiency consists of a loss or deficiency of the stem cells in the limbus. These stem cells in the limbus are important for the re-population of the corneal epithelium. It also helps aid the barrier function of the limbus.
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They wrote:
“Short-term consequences of insufficient sleep or delayed sleep cause ocular discomfort, including dryness, pain, pruritus, and hyperemia of the eye.”
Treatment
Although this discovery is alarming, the authors observed that eye drops can treat the mice with damaged corneas. They also aided in restoring their eye health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said more than one-third of adults don’t get enough sleep.
Doctors also recommend that adults get at least seven hours of sleep each night.
The CDC warned that sleep deprivation can cause:
Higher risk for obesity.
Diabetes.
High blood pressure.
Source: Punch HealthWise