Sleeping for more or less than 7-8 hours can lead to THESE health problems

Most of us always thought that not sleeping enough can lead to a host of health issues. But turns out, sleeping more than the required number of hours can also lead to the same.

Our body ideally needs seven to eight hours of sleep every day, depending on person to person. According to the researchers at the University of California, people who sleep nine-10 hours every night, have more problems staying asleep, difficulty falling asleep and many more problems. People who sleep less than seven hours also have difficulty falling asleep and waking up refreshed.

Here’s a list of problems that can be caused by oversleeping and undersleeping.

Problems caused by oversleeping

Multiple studies have shown that oversleeping increases the risk of diabetes. According to a study published by The American Diabetes, people who sleep a little too long and have clinomania, which is an excessive desire to stay in bed are at an increased risk of getting Type II diabetes.

According to a recent study, people who slept for more than nine – 10 hours every night were 21 per cent more likely to become obese over the time span of six years as compared to people who slept for six-eight hours.

For many people sleeping longer than usual on off days or vacation can cause headaches. This happens as oversleeping affects the neurotransmitters in the brain. People who sleep too much during the day have more headaches and have trouble sleeping or staying asleep during the night time.

Though insomnia is more commonly linked to depression, nearly 15 per cent people suffering from depression sleep too much. This, in turn, can make their condition even worse. Regular sleep habits are important for the recovery process.

The Nurses’ Health Study that included 72,000 women found that women who slept nine – 11 hours every night were more likely to have coronary heart disease than women who slept for eight hours. Though researches have yet not identified the relation between heart disease and oversleeping.

A 13-year-old study conducted by the University of Cambridge, it was noted that over sleepers have an increased risk of early mortality. If you have a pre-existing condition like heart disease or diabetes, the risk of early mortality can even increase.

Disrupted immune system

If you feel that your body is becoming extra sensitive, the blame can be put on your bedtime. Lack of sleep for a prolonged time can weaken your immunity, which makes your body unable to shoo away the bugs.

Sleeping for more or less than seven-eight hours can lead to weight gain. So, in order to maintain your weight, you need to sleep for the correct number of hours.

Sleep-deprived people have reduced levels of leptin, a chemical that makes you feeling full and increases levels of ghrelin, which is the hunger-stimulating hormone. This, in turn, makes you overeat, which ultimately makes you gain extra weight.

When you have sleepless nights often, you tend you get irritable and moody. In fact, a survey found that lack of sleep is the main reason behind anxiety and depression.

The way oversleeping can lead to type II diabetes, sleeping less can also lead to the same. Our insulin levels are really sensitive about fluctuations in our sleeping hours. They demand a pattern that is followed religiously.

A study found that men and women who slept for less than seven hours have lower libidos and less interest in sex.

If you are unable to conceive, not getting an adequate amount of sleep can be the culprit. This is because regular sleep disruptions can cause trouble in conceiving due to a reduction in the secretion of reproductive hormones.

If you feel that you are unable to sleep at night and you take your power naps in the day, avoid doing that. Though naps do help in getting us through the day but for peaceful slumber at night, it’s better to avoid day time naps.