Sleep

Why is it important?

Sleep, or more importantly, lack of sleep has

many effects on your body. Obviously, when you are tired you do not

perform well when it comes to thinking, etc. Anyone can see that this leads to accidents and injury. So why are we talking about sleep in a Chronic and Infectious Disease unit?

Lack of sleep increase our chances of disease.

Why are we talking about sleep in this unit?

Diabetes- Lack of sleep influences Hemoglobin A1c

levels, which have a big influence over blood sugar control. Lack of sleep puts you more at risk of type 2 diabetes.

Cardiovascular Disease- People with sleep apnea are at a higher risk of hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease, and irregular heartbeat.

Obesity- Not getting enough sleep has been linked to metabolic changes that increase risk of obesity.

Depression- Studies have shown that better sleep can lessen the symptoms of depression

Chronic Diseases Associated with Lack of Sleep

There is evidence that lack of sleep can effect

immune response Lack of sleep has been shown to have some

influence over levels of cytokines, T-cells, natural killer cells and antibodies.

Getting proper sleep could in turn, help prevent infectious disease or shorten recovery times.

Lack of Sleep and Infectious Disease

Reduces Stress (which can reduce the chances

of disease) Improves immune response Lowers risk for chronic diseases Lowers chances of injury Improves mental function

How does sleep help?

http://www.cdc.gov/sleep/chronic_disease.htm http://www.cdc.gov/sleep/ http://

healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/benefits-of-sleep

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/research_vcapp/krueger/inpress%20pubs/immune%20response.pdf

Sources