Sleep deprivation negatively impact human health and well being. The long-term effects of chronic sleep deprivation have been associated with elevated risk for numerous conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity and depression.
Article The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on the Brain
Temporary sleep deprivation is common to all of us. We do not get complete sleep of 6- 8 hours at schedule time (generally at night) many times in our life due to many social and professional reasons.
In such conditions, our body system try to take the 'debt of sleep' of those hours afterwards.
But if such condition continues for a long time at regular or irregular basis, the BODY CLOCK becomes disturbed. It can definitely affect any/ all body systems.
When we are awake, activities of the nervous system use neurotransmitters. When we sleep neurotransmitters continue to be used at a much slower rate and replacement of these chemicals dominate usage. The reserves build up for the next day. Sleep deprivation depletes neurotransmitters
Sleep deprivation can have devastating impacts on our health. Current studies have shown that adequate sleep helps to improve memory and learning, enhance critical thinking skills and creativity, and facilitate and improve the decision making process. Sleep deprivation causes drastic changes to occur in the brain, which may have a great bearing on the quality of our actions and functions of the brain .
It is considered one of the causes of Alzheimer. Both Churchill and Margaret Thatcher for example boasted of only sleeping four hours a night, and both contracted (if that's the right term) Alzheimer. Nowadays, people are rightly advised to get at least 8 hours sleep.