1 of 8

Write now Article Tools

You are only sleeping five or six hours a night and believe that is good enough. The truth is your body needs at least 8 hours of sleep every night. You have an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure and recent research has shown that you are more likely to have weight problems. Lack of sleep may interfere with production of hormones that control your appetite.

There are 5 stages of sleep that make up the sleep cycle.

STAGE 1 - II

The is the period known as light sleep and is the stage when you can be easily awakened. Your eye movements slow down, your body temperature drops and your breathing slows down.

STAGE 3 - 4

This is the period of sleep known as deep sleep. During this stage of sleep it is more difficult to wake someone up. When you wake up a person during this stage of sleep they will be groggy and disoriented for a few minutes. This is the stage of sleep that your body craves when you are extremely tired.

FINAL STAGE REM

This is known as the rapid eye movement stage. During this stage your breathing becomes rapid, your heart beats faster, your limb muscles do not move. This is the stage when people have the most vivid dreams.

It is common for everyone to have occasional insomnia. If you have insomnia that last more than a month it is considered chronic. Some of the causes of insomnia are certain medical conditions, side effects from medications, mental health issues and substance abuse.

Also the condition known as gastroesophgeal reflux disease or sometimes referred to as Gerd can interfere with the sleep cycle. Reflux causes stomach acid to move backwards up into your esophagus, causing an uncomfortable burning sensation which most people call heartburn. This condition is worse when you lay down. Reflux even if it goes unnoticed while sleeping can cause some interference with the sleep cycle.

When you experience lack of sleep, beside feeling sleepy you are more prone to accidents, it can affect your health, your relationships and your job. People walking around without enough sleep will describe themselves as feeling disconnected from the world around them.

Sleep is essential for all human beings. Sleep refreshes you and is the reason you feel alert during the day. Failing to get enough sleep will cause you to feel foggy and eventually will disrupt your personal relationships, your family and your work. If you are having problems with sleeping it is imperative that you talk to your doctor. He may prescribe a sleep medicationor treatment for individuals who are experiencing sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is when someone has periods of not breathing and is more common if you are obese.

The truth is that we all need sleep and it needs to be a good quality sleep. Not getting enough sleep or ignoring the problem can only have negative effects on your health status, This is not something to ignore and it can be treated. If you are an individual with sleeping problem then seek medical help to resolve it. Dealing with sleeps problems and finding resolutions will only increase and improve the quality of your life.

Learn more about this author, D. P. Noe.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Why the body needs sleep?
We want to hear your view. Write now!