Insufficient Sleep Linked to Increased Cold Risk

Struggling through the day due to lack of sleep can lead to decreased concentration and performance. However, the implications of sleep deprivation can be even more serious.

Many parents of young children and shift workers have long suspected that insufficient sleep increases the risk of infections, such as the common cold. A recent study published in the journal Chronobiology International confirms this connection.

The study involved 1,335 nurses and caregivers in Norway, all aged 30 and above. Participants reported their required sleep, the actual sleep they received, their work shifts, and the frequency of specific infections over recent months.

The findings revealed that those who experienced a sleep deficit of up to two hours had a 33% higher risk of catching a cold. If the sleep deficit exceeded two hours, the likelihood of developing a cold increased even further. Additionally, the risks for bronchitis, sinusitis, and gastrointestinal infections were also elevated.

Siri Waage, the lead author from Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, emphasized that sleep deprivation and irregular shift work, including night shifts, not only compromise the immune system of healthcare professionals but could also hinder their ability to provide high-quality patient care. Measures need to be taken to protect these workers from infectious diseases.

While this study illustrates a correlation, the researchers caution that it does not definitively establish causation--whether sleep deprivation directly causes infections or if infections lead to poor sleep. There may also be an unidentified factor influencing both sleep patterns and health.

Other research supports the link between sleep and immune function. Luciana Besedovsky, a researcher at LMU Munich exploring the relationship between sleep and the immune system, conducted experiments where young, healthy participants were either allowed to sleep or kept awake for 24 hours, followed by measuring their immune responses.

Besedovsky's studies indicate that sleep affects various immune parameters. For instance, sleep influences the release of certain cytokines, which are signaling molecules of the immune system, and the number of immune cells circulating in the bloodstream.

Hormonal changes during sleep likely play a crucial role. According to Besedovsky, sleep triggers the release of various hormones, such as growth hormone, which positively impacts immune function. This relationship is well-documented.

Moreover, studies involving vaccinations provide further evidence of the importance of sleep for immune response. Participants who were allowed to sleep post-vaccination exhibited a significantly stronger immune response compared to those who remained awake.

In summary, while current research offers valuable insights into how sleep duration may relate to the risk of infections, the full extent of this relationship remains to be fully understood.