Sleep is important for both physical and mental health. Lack of sleep can increase the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, as well as weaken the immune system making people more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Getting proper sleep reduces stress on the body, improves immune function, lowers disease risk, prevents injuries, and enhances mental performance.

1. SleepWhy is it important?

2. 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?

3. 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 depressionChronic Diseases Associated with Lack of Sleep

4. There is evidence that lack of sleep can effect immune responseLack 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

5. Reduces Stress (which can reduce the chances of disease)Improves immune responseLowers risk for chronic diseasesLowers chances of injury Improves mental functionHow does sleep help?

6. http://www.cdc.gov/sleep/chronic_disease.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/sleep/http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/benefits-of-sleephttp://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/research_vcapp/krueger/inpress%20pubs/immune%20response.pdfSources