Sleep Deprivation #2

Studies have established a link between obtaining inadequate sleep and weight gain. A new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has established a link between inadequate sleep and weight gain in "healthy adults" in a controlled laboratory setting. Even a few bad nights of sleep apparently can lead to packing on the pounds. There are other potentially negative consequenses, as well, because sleep affects almost every tissue in the body; that according to Michael Twery, a NIH sleep specialist. Getting less than six hours of sleep might raise your risk of heart attack. Inadquate amounts of sleep is also a risk factor for substance abuse, cancer, and depression. The elderly are especially vulnerable to negative consequences of inadequate sleep. Timothy Monk, director of Western Psychiatric's Human Chronobiology Research Program has been quoted as saying that the circadian signal isn't as strong as people age. Negative consequences are not relegated to adults only, however. According to NYU psychiatrist, Vatsal Thakkar, growth hormones are released during deep sleep so children can experience hormonal disruptions when they get too little sleep. In fact, poor sleep patterns may often be misdiagnosed as ADHD in children.