Sleep is an essential requirement of the human body for health, growth, and overall well-being. Getting adequate sleep is crucial as it restores and rejuvenates the body’s vital systems.

While the recommended hours of sleep vary among individuals, sleeping less than six hours a night can lead to a host of medical, physical, and mental conditions. In this article, we’ll delve into 30 diseases you may be at risk for if you sleep less than six hours a night.

1. Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, and stroke are all linked to reduced sleep.

A study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that individuals who slept less than six hours a night were twice as likely to have a stroke or a heart attack than those who slept for eight hours.

2. Diabetes

Sleep deprivation can negatively affect glucose metabolism leading to insulin resistance and hence type 2 diabetes.

A study published in the journal Sleep Medicine found that sleeping less than six hours a night increases the risk of developing diabetes by 28% compared to individuals who slept for eight hours.

3. Obesity

Obesity is a significant concern for millions of people worldwide. Research suggests that there is a link between sleep deprivation and obesity.

A study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those who slept less than six hours per night had a 55% higher risk of obesity than individuals who slept for eight hours.

4. Depression

Sleep is essential in regulating various brain functions, including mood regulation. Lack of sufficient sleep can increase the risk of depression, exacerbate existing depression symptoms and other mood disorders.

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that people who slept less than six hours a night were at an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety.

5. Anxiety

Linked to depression, anxiety can make someone feel as if they are in constant turmoil. Anxiety is a common mental condition that can be caused or worsened by reduced sleep.

According to a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, people who sleep less than six hours a night are more likely to develop anxiety and general anxiety disorder.

6. Poor Memory

Sleep is essential for consolidating new memories. A lack of enough sleep can negatively impact memory retention and retrieval.

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that people who slept less than six hours a night had difficulty recalling information compared to those who had enough sleep.

7. Reduced Cognitive Function

Cognitive function refers to the brain’s ability to process information, make decisions and solve problems. Lack of sufficient sleep can negatively impact cognitive function and lead to a decrease in alertness and an inability to focus.

A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that people who slept less than five hours a night had significantly reduced cognitive function.

8. Reduced Immune Function

The body’s immune system works to fight off infections and illnesses. Lack of sleep can negatively impact the immune system and decrease its efficacy in fighting off diseases.

A study published in the Journal of Immunology found that individuals who slept for less than six hours a night had a weaker immune response than those who slept for seven hours or more.

9. Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a debilitating disease that has been linked to poor sleep patterns. Sleep is vital in the brain’s ability to clear out amyloid beta, a protein that, if not removed, can build up and cause Alzheimer’s disease.

A study in the Journal of Neuroscience found that a lack of sleep increased the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

10. Hormonal Imbalance and Weight Gain

Hormones control various body functions, including metabolism and hunger. Sleep is essential in the regulation and maintenance of hormone levels. Lack of sleep can negatively impact the body’s hormone levels, leading to weight gain.

A study by the University of Chicago found that sleep deprivation decreases the hormone leptin (responsible for feeling full) and increases the hormone ghrelin (responsible for hunger), leading to an increase in food intake and subsequent weight gain.

11. Impaired Balance

A lack of enough sleep can negatively impact a person’s balance and increase the likelihood of falls.

A study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity found that elderly people who slept less than six hours per night had worse balance and increased falls.

12. Increased Mortality Risk

A chronic lack of sleep has been linked to an increased risk of death from various causes.

A study published in the journal Sleep found that individuals who regularly slept less than six hours per night had a 12% higher mortality rate than those who slept for the recommended 7-8 hours.

13. Headaches

Headaches are a common occurrence and can be caused by various factors, including sleep deprivation.

A study published in the journal Neurology found that people who slept less than six hours a night had a higher likelihood of developing chronic headaches.

14. Digestive Issues

Reduced sleep is linked to digestive issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing pain and discomfort.

A study published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery found that sleep deprivation is a significant risk factor for the development of GERD.

15. Increased Risk of Infections

The body’s immune system works to fight off infections and illnesses. Lack of sleep can negatively impact the immune system’s efficacy, leading to an increased risk of infections.

A study published in the journal Science found that individuals who slept less than the recommended seven hours per night had a much higher risk of developing a cold than those who slept for eight hours or more.

16. Reduced Athletic Performance

A chronic lack of sleep is also linked to reduced athletic performance. A study conducted by Stanford University found that basketball players who slept more experienced a 9% improvement in performance compared to those who did not sleep enough.

17. Impaired Mood Regulation

Just like with anxiety and depression, a lack of sleep can also lead to emotional instability. According to a study published in The Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, sleep deprivation can cause irritability, anxiety, and feelings of sadness.

18. Decreased Libido

Sexual performance and the drive to engage in sexual activities are linked to hormone production. A lack of sleep can negatively impact hormone production, leading to reduced libido and performance.

A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that men who slept less than six hours a night had a 20% decreased libido than those who slept for 7-8 hours.

19. Decreased Pain Tolerance

Pain tolerance is linked to various body functions that are regulated by sleep. Reduced sleep can lead to a decreased pain tolerance, making the body more susceptible to chronic pain.

A study published in the journal Sleep found that those who slept for less than six hours per night had a significantly decreased pain tolerance than those who slept for eight hours.

20. Increased Risk of Asthma Attacks

Asthma is a respiratory condition that can be triggered by various factors, including sleep deprivation. A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that a lack of sleep increased the likelihood of asthma attacks.

21. Impaired Decision-Making Capacity

Decision-making capacity is linked to cognitive function and can be negatively impacted by a lack of sleep.

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that individuals who slept for six hours or less per night had a 20% decrease in decision-making capacity than those who slept for eight hours.

22. Increased Risk of Accidents

A lack of sleep can lead to reduced awareness and reaction time, increasing the risk of accidents.

A study published in The Lancet Medical Journal found that individuals who slept less than six hours per night were 30% more likely to get into a motor vehicle accident than those who slept for eight hours.

23. Reduced Life Expectancy

According to a study published in the Journal Sleep, people who regularly sleep less than six hours a night have a 12% higher risk of early mortality than those who sleep for the recommended seven to eight hours.

24. Weakened Skin

Sleep is essential in the renewal and repair of the body’s cells, including skin cells. A lack of sleep can negatively impact skin health, leading to weakened skin and premature aging.

A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that individuals who slept for less than six hours per night had a significantly weaker skin barrier than those who slept for seven to eight hours.

25. Impaired Creativity

Creativity is linked to cognitive function and can be negatively impacted by a lack of sleep.

A study published in the journal THINK found that individuals who slept for less than six hours per night had a decrease in creative thinking ability than those who slept for eight hours.

26. Increased Risk of Cancer

Sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of various cancers, including breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that those who slept for less than six hours per night had a 40% increased risk of developing breast cancer.

27. Increased Risk of Migraines

A chronic lack of sleep is linked to migraines and other forms of headaches.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that those who slept less than six hours per night had a higher likelihood of experiencing migraines and other types of headaches.

28. Increased Risk of Hypertension

Hypertension is a medical condition that can be caused or worsened by a lack of sleep.

A study published in the Journal of Hypertension found that individuals who slept for less than six hours per night had an increased likelihood of developing hypertension.

29. Increased Risk of Osteoporosis

Sleep is essential in the body’s ability to produce and repair bone tissue. A lack of sleep can negatively impact bone health, leading to osteoporosis.

A study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that women who slept for less than six hours per night had a more significant loss in bone density than those who slept for eight hours.

30. Reduced Work Productivity

Lack of sleep can lead to decreased work productivity, concentration, and coordination.

A study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that people who slept less than six hours a night were less productive, more irritable, and had difficulty concentrating.