Do you burn the candle at both ends and wind up feeling fatigued or have a headache in the morning? Most people would blame that on lack of sleep, but the answer might be a bit more complicated. Maybe lacking sleep isn’t the exact problem, but dehydration is. What causes the dehydration? According to research published in the November 5, 2018, journal, Sleep, these symptoms occur because of dehydration, but the dehydration may occur because of the lack of sleep.
The study followed the hydration of almost 20,000 Chinese and American Adults.
It didn’t matter whether you were from the US or China, sleeping fewer than six hours on a regular basis increased your risk of dehydration up to 59% when compared to people who slept from seven to eight hours normally. While studies have shown that lack of sleep not only impairs your judgement and focus, but when done consistently, can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Newer studies show it can even lead to kidney disease and even early death.
New studies show it may be because of a hormone created at night as part of the circadian rhythm.
When scientists discovered the link between lack of sleep and dehydration, they had to look further. The study was observational, but it linked the dehydration to the creation of a hormone called vasopressin. The body creates vasopressin, which is a hormone that has antidiuretic qualities. It helps maintain the body’s water balance both during the day and night. Vasopressin is released more quickly deeper into the sleep cycle. Going to bed and therefore getting up before the most hormone is released can disrupt the body’s hydration.
What to do if you’re getting less than eight hours of sleep a night.
Getting adequate sleep should be your first line of defense. Lack of sleep affects so many areas of your health that it’s extremely important. However, sometimes getting enough sleep isn’t possible. For those times when you’re tired, feeling groggy or out of sorts, don’t reach for coffee. Instead, reach for a bottle of water and drink water liberally throughout the day.
- The kidneys play a vital role in hydration due to the hormone vasopressin secreted by the pituitary gland. Drinking more water actually improves kidneys health.
- The studies showed that people who regularly slept 6 hours or less had urine that was more concentrated than those who slept at least 8 hours a night. However, sleeping 9 hours made no significant difference.
- The quality of your sleep makes a difference. Quality sleep is more than just getting to bed on time. It’s going to sleep and sleeping through the night to let the sleep cycle complete.
- You can get better quality sleep by creating a sleep schedule and sticking with it, refrain from eating too much at bedtime, but don’t go to bed hungry and make your area conducive to sleep, dark, slightly cool and quiet.
For more information, contact us today at Next Level Fitness