- Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system.
- The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, and researchers are working to understand its risk factors and how people can modify their risk.
- A recent study found that not getting enough sleep and poor sleep quality during adolescence may increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis later in life.
Sleep is essential to good health and helps the body maintain its typical functions. One area of interest is the importance of sleep in adolescence.
A recent study published in Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry Adolescent sleep deprivation may increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers have found.
People with multiple sclerosis can have a wide range of experiences
It is unknown why certain people develop multiple sclerosis. It may be related to reactions by the body’s immune system. People who have a family history of multiple sclerosis may be more susceptible to developing multiple sclerosis.
Dr. Achillefs Nutranos, a non-study author, neurologist, and multiple sclerosis expert, explained: MNT:
“MS has many known risk factors [multiple sclerosis]It includes genetics, gender (women are three times more likely than men to develop multiple sclerosis), and environmental factors such as low vitamin D levels and exposure to viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus. Recent studies have also suggested that certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking and obesity, may play a role in the development of multiple sclerosis. “
Researchers are still working to understand the level of risk posed by modifiable factors and how people can reduce their risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
This particular study was a case-control study in Sweden. The researchers included his 2,075 participants with multiple sclerosis and his 3,164 controls. Researchers asked participants about the quality and duration of sleep in their teens. They classified sleep time into his three categories:
- Less than 7 hours each night (short sleep)
- 7 to 9 hours every night
- 10+ hours each night (long sleep)
Researchers also asked participants about differences in sleep duration between workdays or school days and weekends and holidays. Finally, researchers asked participants about their sleep quality, ranging from very poor to very good.
The study found that adolescents who slept less than 7 hours a night had an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Poor sleep quality resulted in similar associated risks. They found that differences in sleep duration between weekends and school days did not significantly affect the risk of multiple sclerosis.
Dr. Anna Hedstrom, study author and Karolinska Institutet researcher, explained: MNT:
“We know that habitual sleep patterns [a] Young age affects the risk of developing MS later.neither is sufficient [and] Lack of sleep negatively impacts the immune system in several ways and is associated with an increased risk of other inflammatory diseases. Sleeping too little or of poor quality was found to increase the risk of later developing multiple sclerosis by up to 50%. “
Dr. Ntranos further commented on the study:
“[Getting] Adequate restorative sleep at a young age is important for maintaining adequate immune function and may be a preventive factor in MS. It’s also worth noting that the results were similar even after excluding those who worked shifts. This is an important consideration as shift work is often associated with sleep deprivation and circadian asynchrony, which are known risk factors for multiple sclerosis. “
This study had several limitations. First, this study cannot prove that sleep deprivation is the cause of multiple sclerosis. The authors acknowledge the potential for reverse causality, recall bias, selection bias, and residual confounding.
Researchers also relied on data from questionnaires completed by participants, which could pose a risk of inaccuracy. They also acknowledge that it could have been factors they were unable to adapt to, such as stress, diet, etc. The study, he said, was conducted in one country, and may be more diverse in the future. It may indicate that a census is required.
Dr. Hedström pointed out the following elements for further research:
“Previous studies have shown that inadequate sleep may contribute to low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of the blood-brain barrier. Investigate the exact mechanisms behind our findings. We need more research.”
Dr. Ntranos also provided some caveats.
“It is important to note that, like any observational study, our findings do not establish causality, and more studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and confirm our findings.” …Overall, this study suggests that sleep and MS risk is just one piece of the puzzle: the complex interplay of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to MS risk. Further research is needed to fully understand the
acquisition
This study adds to the evidence that enough sleep is essential for teens and that not enough sleep can be detrimental to health. Educating teens is important, said Dr. Hedström. MNT:
“Adequate sleep is necessary for optimal immune function, especially for adolescents. [but] Lack of sleep is common.MS patients who have children often ask if they can somehow reduce their children’s risk of developing the disease. [years] can contribute to reduction[ing] Risk of developing MS later. “
