Sleep Deprivation and Stress a Deadly Combination - Acid-Base Disorders

Sleep Deprivation and Stress a Deadly Combination - Acid-Base Disorders

Stress -> Cortisol-> Glucose-> Hyperglycemia-> Ketoacidosis (Acidosis)

Hyperglycemia is When blood glucose levels keep rising to dangerous levels. Sleep deprivation causes the central nervous system to become more active and this inhibits the pancreas from producing adequate insulin, the hormone used to control glucose levels in the blood. In one research study, the study subjects sleeping hours were restricted to 4 hours a night "In healthy young men with no risk factor, in one week, we had them in a pre-diabetic state," says researcher Van Cauter. The young and healthy males had glucose levels that were no longer normal and showed a rapid deterioration of the body's functions which reduced the bodies ability to manage glucose. Some studies have concluded that sleep deprivation can slow glucose metabolism by as much as 30 to 40%. Sleep deprivation alone can also cause a high increase in cortisol levels, which can lead to hardening of the arteries, which can lead to or cause a heart attack. High levels of cortisol can also cause hypertension, muscle loss, increase fat storage, bone loss (osteoporosis), memory loss, depression, insulin resistance, and lowers the growth hormone (tissue repair), testosterone levels, and glycogen synthesis. Sleep deprivation also causes the depletion of neurotransmitters in the brain resulting in irritability, mood swings, or a lack of control on emotions.

High levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and epinephrine, which raise the glucose levels in the blood, can cause ketoacidosis. One of the early symptoms is fatigue or feeling tired. One of the treatments for ketoacidosis is that the electrolytes imbalance needs to be corrected. When blood glucose continues to increase the body goes into an energy crisis and starts to break down fat as an alternate energy source. As the fat is burned ketones are produced in the blood and as the ketones levels rise the blood becomes more acidic (ketoacidosis). A diet high in sugar can also contribute to acidic blood. High levels of glucose in the blood can also slow down the cholesterol LDLs and make them sticky which makes them build up much faster on the blood vessel walls.

High levels of stress and sleep deprivation can be a deadly combination.