Does Insomnia Cause of Death ?

There have been many accidents and health problems occur because of sleep disorders. Studies in rats in laboratory experiments constantly forced to get up eventually die within two weeks. However, is it true sleep deprivation in humans also leads to death?
According to medical records, the longest a human survive without sleep is 11 days. That was evidenced by Randy Gardner, 17 years old teenager who in 1967 kept awake for 11 days for a competency dance. As long as he does not suffer from sleep no pain and still be able to follow the competition. Finished the competition, he then slept for 14 hours and energy recovered as usual.
However, the example is a lack of sleep, which is very different from insomnia. "It is not unusual when someone can not sleep for several days because of insomnia," said Dr. Michael Thorpy of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center, USA.
There is a very rare case of insomnia, which is caused due to genetic factors, that is fatal familial insomnia (FFI). The disorder affects only 40 families worldwide.
As a result of FFI, a person will suffer from panic attacks, hallucinations, decreased body weight, demenisa, and sometimes death. The sleep disturbance causes a decrease in nerve function in the brain. FFI usually occurs in middle-aged people and ended with the deaths during the period of one or two years.
Thorpy explained, in most people, chronic insomnia does not directly cause death. However, lack of sleep can lead to serious health problems that increase the risk of death.
"Sleeping less than seven hours per day associated with reduced cognitive function, especially loss of concentration, impaired memory, and koornidasi hands and eyes," said Thorpy.
The study also showed that people who suffer from insomnia more at risk of depression and anxiety. Insomnia is also associated with risk of heart disease and hypertension, obesity, diabetes, breast cancer, and headaches. That is why, people who suffer from insomnia must obtain a doctor's care.