Last Updated on November 21, 2022 by Shabnam Sengupta
Sleep health is critical for promoting physical and mental well-being. Recently, there has been evidence referring to the association between sleep and the immune system and how sleep disruptions could upset the delicate balance, with serious consequences for health outcomes. Thus, this write-up discusses the importance of sleep health and the effects of sleep deprivation on fever due to infections.
What impact does sleep have on the immune system?
You need sleep for the maintenance of vital functions. It also appears to be important in disease defense. Sleep deprivation has been shown to suppress the host’s immune response to external pathogens such as viruses. As a result, you should maintain a consistent sleep schedule. A strong immune system ensures that immune responses are appropriate and effective.
Furthermore, population-based studies show that chronic sleep deprivation raises the risk of mortality and promotes pathological conditions characterized by immune alterations and inflammation, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Can sleep aid in the treatment of a fever?
Yes, sleep deprivation has a significant impact on immune response effectiveness. In addition, lack of sleep impairs immune function, making people more susceptible to viral infections, particularly the common cold. This is usually due to decreased T lymphocyte proliferation, decreased expression of HLA-DR molecules, increased CD14 positive cells, and induction of cortisol inflammatory markers. Thus, sleep deprivation affects how we fight illnesses once they strike viral infection.
How should sleep disruptions be addressed?
Sleep disorders are a group of medical conditions that impair one’s ability to sleep soundly on a regular basis. These are mainly the results of medical conditions or excessive stress. Since a cause-and-effect relationship between sleep deprivation and immune suppression has been proposed, sleep disruption should be treated in terms of both time and quality to maintain a healthy immune response. These measures usually depend on the underlying causes, but a combination of medications and lifestyle changes under the supervision of your doctor can be beneficial.
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