Sleep loss and the immune system: Can it really make you sick?
Let’s first understand how sleep loss works.
Sleep loss is when you’re not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as insomnia, sleep disorders, or poor sleep habits.
Sleep loss can be categorized as acute or chronic. Acute sleep loss occurs when you lose sleep for one or two nights, while chronic sleep loss occurs when you lose sleep for an extended period, often weeks or months.
The effects of sleep loss on your body can vary depending on the duration and severity of sleep deprivation.
But how does it affect your immunity from a scientific standpoint?
In general, sleep loss can have a wide range of negative effects on your physical and mental health, including fatigue, cognitive impairment, mood changes, and an increased risk of certain health problems.
Lack of sleep can make you more susceptible to colds, flu, and viruses by weakening your immune system. In addition, a lack of sleep can also increase inflammation in your body, which can further weaken your immune system.
A weaker immune system makes it easier for colds, flu, and viruses to take hold in your body and replicate.
Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to several health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Also, lack of sleep can increase the levels of stress hormones in your body, which can further weaken your immune system.
So how does sleep act as a proven counter to all these negative effects?
You see, during sleep, the body produces cytokines, which are molecules that help fight off infection and inflammation. When a person is sleep-deprived, the production of these cytokines is decreased, making it harder for the body to fight off infections.
Experts recommend that adults aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to maintain optimal health and well-being.
So make sure you’re getting a good night’s sleep from now on, you’ll save yourself a boatload of medical expenses and headaches in the future!
