Expert Korkhova warned about the danger of sleep deprivation

Sleep is not just a rest, but a vital process that has a significant impact on physical and mental health, as well as on a person's cognitive abilities. Olga Korkhova, a general practitioner at SM Clinic, told about this on Monday, April 7, in an interview withГазета.Ru ".

As the specialist pointed out, chronic lack of sleep can weaken the immune system, as lack of sleep reduces the body's protective functions, increasing its vulnerability to infections.

According to Korkhova, studies confirm that people who sleep less than seven hours a day are three times more likely to suffer from colds than those who sleep eight hours or more. She explained that cytokines, proteins that help fight viruses, are actively produced during sleep. If there is not enough sleep, their level drops, which increases the likelihood of developing diseases, the expert said.

In addition, sleep is important in weight control. Thus, lack of sleep disrupts the hormonal balance: the level of ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, increases, and the level of leptin, which is responsible for feeling full, decreases.

"As a result, the risk of overeating, weight gain and related diseases increases. This is evidenced by the results of scientific research," the therapist clarified.

Korkhova noted that lack of sleep directly affects the emotional state and mental health. Constant lack of sleep can cause irritability, mood swings, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, and other disorders.

Sleep is also extremely important for proper brain function. Chronic lack of sleep impairs cognitive function.

The interlocutor of the publication revealed that even one night without sleep reduces attention and productivity. She noted that this is especially true for people engaged in intellectual work.

In conclusion, the expert emphasized that in order to maintain health and well-being, it is necessary to observe the sleep regime and monitor its quality. However, she added that in case of regular sleep problems, you should seek medical help.

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On March 6, Maxim Novikov, somnologist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), told Izvestia about the causes and prevention of insomnia. According to him, insomnia is manifested not only by difficulty in falling asleep, but also by a deterioration in the quality of sleep — a person can often wake up and feel insufficient recovery in the morning.