Can Lack of Sleep Cause Fatigue?

The short answer is yes, lack of sleep can cause fatigue. The long answer is that it depends on the person and their lifestyle. Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness or weariness that can be caused by a number of factors including lack of sleep. Lack of sleep can cause fatigue because it deprives the body from its restorative processes that can only take place during deep sleep.

Lack of sleep can affect the body and mind in many ways; its effects are categorized into two main groups: short-term and long-term.

Short-Term Effects — Even in the short term, lack of sleep symptoms can affect and disrupt the ability to perform day-to-day activities. Not getting enough sleep can have an almost immediate effect on a person’s mood, energy levels, and ability to focus, as well as an increase in stress levels. Lack of sleep can disrupt stress hormones, affecting cognitive abilities and emotional regulation. As the sleep deficit builds up, problems with motor function can eventually develop from excessive daytime tiredness. If operating a vehicle or other machinery, this lack of coordination and slow response time can become dangerous.

Long-Term Effects — Long periods of sleep deprivation can have even more serious effects on an individual’s physical, mental and emotional health. Chronic difficulty sleeping is often a sign of a sleep disorder, such as insomnia; this often requires medical attention. Sleep deprivation can affect the body in many ways; over time, getting poor sleep or not enough sleep can compromise immune system health, increasing a person’s susceptibility to common illnesses. Sustained lack of sleep has also been linked to obesity; not getting enough sleep disrupts the balance of hunger-regulating hormones, ghrelin and leptin. Additionally, as sleep is the time the body uses to rebuild and repair itself, not getting enough sleep can disrupt this process. Sleep is also fundamental in how the brain processes information and stores memories; therefore, poor sleep can cause problems with learning.

It is entirely possible to get more than enough sleep and still feel tired. In fact, most of us are familiar with this phenomenon, and often hear the term “oversleep” as a result. Sleeping for too long can interfere with the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm; consequently, it can be harder to fully wake up, which can negatively impact productivity.

The recommended treatment for fatigue will depend on what is causing it, as well as the symptoms the patient is experiencing. To make a diagnosis, the sleep specialist will likely ask questions about:

– The nature of fatigue, including when it started, how often it occurs, its severity, its effects on other areas of life, and if it gets better or worse at certain times
– Other symptoms that occur alongside fatigue
– Other medical conditions that are present
– Lifestyle factors and sources of stress
– Current medications, including over-the-counter medicines

If the doctor suspects that an underlying medical condition is a culprit, they may order some medical tests, including blood or urine tests.

If you are struggling to overcome your fatigue, come to Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, where our sleep specialists can develop a customized treatment plan to address your needs. Call us today to book an appointment with our fatigue treatment specialist, or visit one of our locations.