Effects of interrupted sleep and its consequences on health

This condition can significantly impact overall health and lead to serious health issues, as detailed below:

Fatigue and mood swings

Interrupted sleep results in fatigue, exhaustion, and drowsiness the following day, as the brain fails to enter the crucial final sleep phase needed to restore energy and enhance physical and mental health. This disruption can negatively impact mood even more than lack of sleep itself.

It also increases the risk of depression and anxiety and can lead to heightened anger, nervousness, and uncontrollable emotions.

Memory and concentration issues

During sleep, crucial processes occur that support brain function, including learning, memory, concentration, problem-solving, and decision-making. These processes prepare the brain to perform efficiently the next day. Disrupted sleep can lead to significant memory and concentration problems. It also impairs problem-solving, decision-making, and behavioural control due to insufficient deep sleep. 

In this phase, deep sleep, information and memories from the day are processed, linked, and stored in long-term memory, ensuring they can be easily accessed later. 

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, inadequate sleep can increase susceptibility to anger, depression, hopelessness, and impulsive or risky behaviour. Sleep deprivation impairs brain function, emotional control, and reasoning.

Furthermore, a 2020 study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences revealed that individuals with disrupted sleep have a 1.5 times higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to those with regular sleeping patterns.

Health issues

Sleep is essential for physical health, supporting critical processes like energy restoration, cell regeneration, tissue repair, and immune system enhancement. It also reduces the risk of conditions like stroke, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, high-quality sleep is particularly important for the growth and development of children and adolescents.

Conversely, chronic sleep disruptions and insufficient sleep impair the body's ability to combat infections and resist illness, largely due to a weakened immune system. This increased susceptibility to diseases underscores the importance of adequate rest.

A study reported by Psychology Today, which tracked over 400,000 individuals for seven years, found that those who slept 6 to 9 hours per night had a 20% lower risk of heart attack compared to those who slept less. In contrast, sleeping more than 9 hours was associated with a 34% higher risk of heart attack.

Obesity

A 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), involving more than 43,000 women over five years, found a significant link between nighttime exposure to artificial light during sleep and long-term weight gain, highlighting the impact of disrupted sleep on weight. 

Researchers attribute this connection to several factors. Interrupted sleep disrupts the production of hormones that regulate appetite, metabolism, and insulin, leading to increased cravings for fatty, sugary foods and consequently, weight gain. Also, being awake for extended periods raises the likelihood of overeating. 

In conclusion, to achieve uninterrupted sleep, it is essential to establish consistent sleep and wake times, including on weekends. Ensuring a comfortable, quiet sleeping environment with a moderate temperature is also important. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle—encompassing a balanced diet, regular exercise, and effective stress management through relaxation and deep breathing—is vital. If chronic sleep disruptions significantly impact daily life, seeking medical advice is recommended to uncover and address the underlying causes.