Not getting enough sleep on a regular basis can have serious consequences for your health and well-being. Sleep is essential for the body to repair and regenerate itself, and not getting enough can lead to a range of problems, both physical and mental.
Physically, not getting enough sleep can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and diseases. It can also lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Chronic sleep deprivation can even increase the risk of certain cancers.
Mentally, not getting enough sleep can affect your mood, making you irritable and moody. It can also affect your ability to think clearly and make decisions, as well as your memory and concentration.
Poor sleep could double the risk of developing asthma
Getting a good night’s sleep is not just important for feeling well-rested, it also has implications for our respiratory health. A recent study from the UK Biobank that SciTechDaily reveals found that poor quality sleep may increase a person’s genetic susceptibility to asthma, and it’s even possible to double their risk of being diagnosed with the condition.
The study, which analyzed sleep patterns and genetic asthma risk scores of over 450,000 participants, suggests that early detection and treatment of sleep problems could provide help in reducing asthma risks, regardless of genetic predisposition. The study also found that a healthy sleep pattern, including factors such as early chronotype, 7-9 hours of sleep per night, and never or rare insomnia, may help lower the risk of asthma, even in those with a high genetic risk score.
An official statement writes as SciTechDaily quotes:
The negative impact of sleep disorders on asthma, which is generally considered a chronic inflammatory disease, might be mediated by sleep-induced chronic inflammation. Previous studies have demonstrated that sleep disorders, such as unfavorable sleep duration and insomnia, are associated with chronic inflammation.
In theory, the immune response to inflammation could generate pro-inflammatory cytokines that result in cellular infiltration and airway inflammation, further increasing the risk of asthma.
The new research was published in BMJ Journals.