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Sleep and Cold
February 26, 2009 |
The bedroom. It can be a safe haven after a long day, but how much
time you actually
spend sleeping there may be the reason you are sniffling and sneezing.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon took a look at the sleep patterns of 150 people.
They found that those that got less than 7 hours each night are more likely to suffer
for it. Dr. Dan Pulsipher is a family physician with Lee Memorial Health System.
“So, basically, a person who is not getting quality sleep, they are truly more susceptible
to developing a cold and its effects”
Sleep plays a role in regulating our bodies and it’s ability
to fight colds. But
it’s not just the number of hours, but the quality of sleep that’s important.
One of the biggest culprits to not getting enough rest: technology. Ringing cell
phones, TVs and computers in the bedroom, even the current economy. “If you’re laying
in bed, worrying about whether or not your home is going to be foreclosed on, losing
your job. Unemployment rates rising. Anxiety alone can cause your sleep to be impaired
and you could be more susceptible to being sick,” says Dr. Pulsipher.
If you are experiencing trouble falling asleep, or staying asleep, you should contact
your doctor for treatment. |
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