Health Risks Associated with Insomnia

There are some quite obvious problems that can arise after an occasional night of interrupted or lost sleep, such as …

poor or dangerous performance at work
mood problems, which can impact relationships with friends & relatives

Unexpectedly, however, recent scientific research has suggested that there can be some additional, very serious, health consequences from constant sleep deprivation or from continuous periods of very poor sleep – that is, chronic insomnia. These include the following …

obesity, through the strong impulse to eat or snack excessively (and exercise less) when tired
diabetes
children’s behavioural problems & poor academic performance
increased risk of a driving accident after consuming alcohol
cardio-vascular disease, leading to heart attacks or strokes

If you are interested in obtaining more information about the health risks associated with insomnia then, besides the links on the above ‘Sleep Links’ page, the following links may also be helpful …

‘Eyes Wide Open’
a 1-hour ‘4-Corners’ report produced & presented by ABC TV (Australia’s National Broadcaster) on 13 August, 2007 – Reporter Quentin McDermott. The video and the full transcript of the report are both available at &hellip
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20070813/sleep/default.htm

‘Adding sleep to the weight debate’
a University of South Australia article from ‘The Researcher’ by Geraldine Hinter, published on 11 August, 2008, discussing the link between sleep deprivation and weight regulating hormones. http://www.unisa.edu.au/researcher/issue/2008/august/story3.asp

‘Drinking and drowsiness a deadly mix’
a University of South Australia’s Centre for Sleep Research news article from 30 May, 2006, discussing the combined effect of alcohol and sleepiness. http://www.unisa.edu.au/sleep/newsandevents/default.asp#may30

‘Kids Behaving Badly? Sleep Could be the Solution’
a University of South Australia’s Centre for Sleep Research news article from 19 July, 2005, discussing the link between sleep problems and a child’s behaviour and academic performance. http://www.unisa.edu.au/sleep/newsandevents/default.asp#july19