Ahmed Hassan
Sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome, are increasingly prevalent in modern society and have significant metabolic consequences. Insomnia, characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, disrupts normal hormonal cycles and increases the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Sleep apnea, marked by repeated airway obstruction during sleep, leads to intermittent hypoxia and heightened cardiovascular risk. Restless legs syndrome causes fragmented sleep, contributing to metabolic dysregulation. This review explores the relationship between these sleep disturbances and metabolic dysfunctions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Evidence from epidemiological studies and clinical trials demonstrates that impaired sleep negatively impacts glucose metabolism, appetite regulation, and energy expenditure. For instance, sleep deprivation alters the balance of hunger-regulating hormones like leptin and ghrelin, promoting increased food intake and weight gain. Understanding the metabolic effects of sleep disorders is crucial for developing comprehensive treatment strategies to mitigate their health impacts and improve overall well-being.