Extended Wakefulness Consequences refers to the cascade of adverse physiological, metabolic, and cognitive effects that result from prolonged periods without adequate sleep, moving beyond simple fatigue to measurable systemic disruption. Clinically, this state is associated with acute endocrine imbalance, including elevated evening cortisol levels, decreased insulin sensitivity, and impaired glucose tolerance. These consequences represent a failure of homeostatic recovery, impacting everything from immune function to emotional regulation.
Origin
This term is a clinical descriptor derived from extensive sleep deprivation research, highlighting the quantifiable and often detrimental systemic effects of chronic or acute sleep restriction. It emphasizes the clinical necessity of viewing sleep not merely as rest, but as a critical, non-negotiable physiological process for metabolic and hormonal repair. The severity of these consequences underscores the non-linear relationship between lost sleep and functional decline.
Mechanism
The primary mechanism involves the disruption of the circadian clock and the subsequent dysregulation of the HPA axis and metabolic hormones. Extended wakefulness increases sympathetic nervous system activity, driving up circulating levels of stress hormones like cortisol and norepinephrine. This hormonal shift contributes to a state of systemic inflammation and peripheral insulin resistance, as tissues become less responsive to insulin’s signal for glucose uptake.
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