Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Lose Sleep, Catch a Cold

Little sleep makes us vulnerable to colds

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 13, 2009 4:06 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – Mom was right: get a good night's sleep. Researchers have discovered a direct link between lack of sleep and vulnerability to disease, Reuters reports. Study volunteers who slept less than seven hours a night for just two weeks were three times more likely to come down with cold symptoms after being exposed to a virus.

"This is the first evidence that even relatively minor sleep disturbances can influence the body's reaction to cold viruses," said a research scientist. It's "yet another reason why people should make time in their schedules to get a complete night of rest."

Assistant Secretary of State and nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill coughs during a press conference. New research has linked lack of sleep to catching colds.
Assistant Secretary of State and nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill coughs during a press conference. New research has linked lack of sleep to catching colds.   (AP Photo/ Wong Maye-E)
New research has linked lack of sleep to susceptibility to the common cold.
New research has linked lack of sleep to susceptibility to the common cold.   (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe sneezes during a military ceremony in Bogota. New research has linked lack of sleep to catching colds.
Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe sneezes during a military ceremony in Bogota. New research has linked lack of sleep to catching colds.   (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Abstract of cold study
Archives of Internal Medicine

Colds linked to lack of sleep
Washington Post

7 ways to fight off colds
US News & World Report

Science • US

 
immune system • sleep deprivation • common cold • Carnegie Mellon University • cytokines • histamines

More Newser Stories

Cold 'Remedy' Firm Settles Suit for $23M
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne