What are the long-term health consequences for not getting enough sleep when you're young?

depression, loss of concentration which may lead to lacking behind at your work, school etc and o not to forget dark circles and early wrinkles :)

Prolonged sleep loss/deprivation in anyone can lead to an increased rate of brain cell death.

So it depends on how long and how severe the deprivation is, but if long-term and severe enough, it can lead to some relatively serious permanent brain damage. (Memory loss, etc)

Sleep loss also causes poor digestion, visual impairment, lowered immunity and a really rotten attitude. In fact…I’m going to hit the sack right now! G’nite all!

Earlier departure from this world.

Diabetes.

Not only are there the health consequences mentioned above, but also you might not learn as much in school or be as motivated to participate if you are exhausted. Less able to focus on studies, and less able to participate in activities. Maybe this lessons your chances of good grades, going to college, or pursuing certain careers. Career and in turn income have great affect on a persons life in our society. It would be a shame for someone to not be able to reach their full potential, because they were not able to get enough sleep.

I have never been a good sleeper and it has become worse as I get older. But I am 65 and still going strong. I am fit and healthy, so it can’t be too bad.

Hmmm @rooeytoo I did not perceive the question as not being a good sleeper, but as being deprived of sleep. I think of it as two different things. Do you think they are the same?

G’day Mrshinyshoes,

Thank you for your question.

It depends on the person. That said, it can lead to poor concentration resulting in work and road accidents. It’s effect on co-ordination is equivalent to a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.1. link

@JLeslie – if you are not a good sleeper, you don’t get enough sleep, therefore sleep deprived. What do you think it means? Perhaps I am misinterpreting.

Chronic headaches. That’s a bad one of mine.

Messes up your metabolism as you age, and you have a harder time losing weight.

Sometimes, if you’re not getting enough sleep, your brain will shut down for a second or two while you’re awake. I had a period when I returned to work after my daughter was born, where I was working a 50 hour week, and caring for an infant that didn’t sleep. As a result, I was getting 2–3 hours of sleep a night. I would be talking at work, and just shut down mid-sentence for a second or two, and then start back up. It drove people crazy.

@PandoraBoxx I thought the weight-loss metabolism change was due to aging. Insulin resistance, isn’t it?

@rooeytoo I was thinking the child was not allowed to sleep enough. Being woken up before he was ready, and kept awake later then advisable. My father doesn’t sleep well, but he doesn’t seem to need more sleep. He just seems frustrated that he cannot sleep through the night well, and that he is on a different sleep schedule then most.