Think if you are constantly awake, without sleep, without rest, everything may feel fine for the first few hours, but slowly the body starts to respond, the mind gets tired. According to scientists, lack of sleep is not just fatigue but a silent poison to every part of the body. Now a question naturally arises in all of our minds that how long a person can live without sleep and when does this fatigue become the cause of death?
How dangerous is lack of sleep?
With increasing air pollution and hectic lives, sleep has become a luxury necessity. Toxic air on the streets, constant staring at screens, and mental stress all combine to completely disrupt our sleep patterns. But did you know that lack of sleep is as harmful to the body as toxic air?
Scientists say that just as air, water and food are essential for health, so is sleep. When we sleep, our body heals itself, repairs damaged cells, cleanses the brain of toxins, and strengthens the immune system. If this process is disrupted, the body begins to slowly break down.
Who has made the record of not sleeping?
In 1964, Randy Gardner, a student from California, set a world record for going 11 consecutive days or 264 hours without sleep. During this time, he suffered terrible consequences, including slurred speech, hallucinations, memory loss and rapid mood swings. Doctors discovered that his brain had begun to lose touch with reality. After this incident, the Guinness Book of World Records banned experiments related to “sleep deprivation”.
Effects of not sleeping on the body
If a person does not sleep for 24 hours continuously, brain function decreases by about 25%. After 48 hours, a person’s thinking and speech slow down. After 72 hours, confusion and anxiety sets in and if sleep deprivation continues for more than a week, the body’s immune system begins to fail, the heart rate becomes irregular and the risk of death increases.
Lack of sleep multiplies the risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke and depression. According to a WHO report, sleep deprivation has become a global health crisis. Sleep is especially affected in cities where air pollution is on the rise, as toxic air deprives the body of oxygen and prevents the brain from receiving proper signals.
Symptoms of lack of sleep
Symptoms of sleep deprivation may seem minor at first, such as fatigue, lack of concentration and eye irritation. However, these symptoms can gradually develop into mood swings, impaired memory and mental disorders. If it continues for a long time, it can also lead to psychosis, confusion and a state of fear.
To stay healthy, an adult should get at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily. It is very important to stay away from your mobile or laptop screen before bed, create a dark and quiet environment in your room, and maintain a regular sleep schedule. The cost of sleep isn’t just fatigue, it’s your whole life.