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Sleep and Chronic Disease
As chronic diseases have assumed an increasingly common role in premature
death and illness, interest in the role of sleep in the development and
management of chronic diseases has grown. Notably, insufficient sleep has
been linked to the development and management of a number of chronic
diseases and conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease,
obesity, and depression.
Diabetes
Research has found that insufficient sleep is linked to an increased risk
for the development of Type 2 diabetes. Specifically, sleep duration and quality
have emerged as predictors of levels of Hemoglobin A1c, an important marker
of blood sugar control. Recent research suggests that optimizing sleep
duration and quality may be important means of improving blood sugar control
in persons with Type 2 diabetes.1
Cardiovascular Disease
Persons with sleep apnea have been found to be at increased
risk for a number of cardiovascular diseases. Notably, hypertension, stroke,
coronary heart disease and irregular heartbeats (cardiac arrhythmias)
have been found to be more common among those with disordered sleep than
their peers without sleep abnormalities. Likewise, sleep apnea and hardening
of the arteries (atherosclerosis) appear to share some common
physiological characteristics, further suggesting that sleep apnea may be an
important predictor of cardiovascular disease.2
Obesity
Laboratory research has found that short sleep duration results in
metabolic changes that may be linked to obesity. Epidemiologic studies conducted in the
community have revealed an association between short sleep duration and
excess body weight. Notably, this association has been reported in all age
groups—but has been particularly pronounced in children. It is believed that
sleep in childhood and adolescence is particularly important for brain development and that
insufficient sleep in youngsters may adversely affect the function of a
region of the brain known as the hypothalamus, which regulates appetite and the expenditure of energy.3
Depression
The relationship between sleep and depression is complex. While sleep
disturbance has long been held to be an important symptom of depression,4
recent research has indicated that depressive symptoms may decrease once
sleep apnea has been effectively treated and sufficient sleep restored.5
The interrelatedness of sleep and depression suggests it is important that
the sleep sufficiency of persons with depression be assessed and that
symptoms of depression be monitored among persons with a sleep disorder.
References
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Knutson KL, Ryden AM, Mander VA, Van Cauter E. Role of sleep
duration and quality in the risk and severity of type 2 diabetes
mellitus. Arch Intern Med 2006;166:1768–1764.
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Kasasbeh E, Chi DS, Krishnaswamy G. Inflammatory aspects of sleep
apnea and their cardiovascular consequences. South Med J 2006;99:58–67.
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Taheri S. The link between short sleep duration and obesity: We
should recommend more sleep to prevent obesity. Arch Dis Child
2006;91:881–884.
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Zimmerman M, McGlinchey JB, Young D, Chelminski I. Diagnosing major
depressive disorder I: A psychometric evaluation of the DSM-IV symptom
criteria. J Nerv Ment Dis 2006;194:158–163.
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Schwartz DJ, Kohler WC, Karatinos G. Symptoms of depression in
individuals with obstructive sleep apnea may be amenable to treatment
with continuous positive airway pressure. Chest 2005;128:1304–1306.
Page last modified: September 10, 2007
Content source: Division of Adult
and Community Health, National
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion |
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