Sleeping for less than 6 hours every night? Doctors have a warning that you must not ignore

Sleeping for less than 6 hours everyday comes at an unprecedented health cost (Picture Credit: Pexels)

Sleep is one of the important pillars of health. Even if you're doing everything right, but not maintaining a proper sleep cycle, you're in for a trouble. One of the unfortunate reality of many of us is that we use our smartphones, binge watch TV shows and movies way too compulsively. The result? Inadequate hours of sleep.

Another buzzing dilemma for many years has been how many hours of sleep is actually good enough? One of the refrains to this has been that a minimum of 8 hours of sleep is important for body to function at an optimum level. Despite so many reports and studies highlighting the importance of sleep, a lot of us don't pay heed.

Moneycontrol's team spoke to neurologist Dr Madhukar Bhardwaj, Director & HOD, Neurology, Aakash Healthcare, and Dr. Sushrut Ganpule, consultant pulmonologist, Jupiter Hospital, Pune, to understand what happens if one sleeps for less than 6 hours. It's only when some of us know the side-effects of doing something, we start course correcting. Isn't it? Let's find out what the doctors had to say.

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What happens when one sleeps for less than 6 hours on a continual basis for a long period of time?

"If a person is sleeping for less than 6 hours on a continuous basis, then their body parameters like blood pressure and sugar may get disturbed. The functioning of brain can also get impacted. One of the reasons why we are seeing more and more young people getting heart attacks is because they suffer from work-related stress and lack of proper sleep," opined Dr Bhardwaj.

Is it true that as we age, we start sleeping for less number of hours?

"Actually, our need for sleep does not go down only our ability to sleep deeply does. Less sleep in old age may be due to several other factors such as disease or impact of drugs. The body equally needs 7-8 hours of sleep in old age," Dr Bhardwaj told Moneycontrol.

On this, Dr Ganpule explained that the brain of elderly people is not able to make the amount of sleep hormone that is needed for 7-8 hours of sleep. However, the need for sleep stays the same. "Even a 70-year-old needs 7 hours it’s just harder for them to get it," he shared.

Impact of poor sleep on different organs of the body

From impacting immunity levels poorly to the heart feeling stressed out, lack of sleep can prove to be hazardous in the long run. "I often tell patients sleep is your cheapest medicine for almost every organ," shared Dr Bhardwaj.

"When you don’t sleep well, all body parts get affected. The heart works faster, sugar goes up, and digestion becomes weak. I have seen many patients who fixed their BP and sugar just by sleeping better," told Dr Ganpule to Moneycontrol.

How about people like Sadhguru who thrive on just 3 to 4 hours of sleep?

Dr Ganpule shared, "Yes, there are a few people like Sadhguru, maybe one in a thousand. But most of us can’t. Trying to copy them is like trying to run a truck on bike fuel; it’ll drive you some distance, but the engine will fail soon and inevitably so."

Can 8 hours of sleep at night be substituted with naps during the day?
Dr Ganpule suggested that short naps were fine , as they gave a boost of energy to the body, but they couldn't be the substitute for a proper night sleep. "Night sleep is when your brain does deep cleaning and repairs. I tell patients that day naps are like snacks, but night sleep is your main meal you can’t skip it," the doctor concluded.

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FAQs on what happens when one doesn't maintain a proper sleep cycle:

1. What happens if I don’t get enough sleep?

Lack of sleep can cause fatigue, poor concentration, and mood swings.

2. Can irregular sleep affect my health long-term?

Yes, it increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and weakened immunity.

3. Does poor sleep affect the brain?

Yes, it impairs memory, learning, and decision-making.

4. Can sleep disruption affect mental health?

Chronic poor sleep can lead to anxiety, depression, and irritability.

5. How does it impact daily performance?

It reduces alertness, reaction time, and productivity, making daily tasks harder.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.