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Connections Between Sleep, Health, and Disease

Sleep plays a critical role in health and well-being by helping maintain optimal physiological and cognitive function and influencing host metabolism and immunity. The relationship between sleep and health is complex, but many adults who average less than seven hours per night are more likely to develop a chronic condition. Poor sleep quality is also associated with a higher rate of depressive symptoms. In some cases, achieving restorative sleep can seem difficult; the statistics below highlight the impact of sleep-related dysfunction and offer key techniques for improving sleep practices. 

 

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Almost 50% of all Americans say they feel sleepy during the day between three and seven days per week.1
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43% of single parents sleep less than seven hours per night compared to 33% of adults in two-parent homes and 31% of adults with no children.2
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58% of middle schoolers and 73% of high school students get less than the recommended amount of sleep for their age. 3
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40% of people with insomnia are believed to also be affected by a mental health disorder. 4

+ References
 

Explore the latest research on sleep

 

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Sleep & Immune Health

Sleep is critical to immune health, and poor sleep may drive many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

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Mental Health & Sleep

The relationship between sleep, mental health, and physical health is frequently multidirectional. 

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Chronic Sleep Deprivation

Research suggests a connection between sleep, oxidative stress, and mitochondria.

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Sleep Quality & CVD Risk

Sleep duration affects behavior and physiology, including the cardiovascular system.

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Sleep & Relaxation

Mind-body interventions may improve sleep quality.




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Sleep & Biotransformation

Chronic sleep deprivation may inhibit paravascular clearance pathways in the brain, contributing to the body's toxic burden.

Watch IFM educators discuss sleep

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Phyllis C. Zee, MD, PhD
Optimizing Circadian Rhythm and Healthy Sleep

Discover the key to optimized health with Lifestyle: The Foundations of Functional Medicine>

This course explores the evidence-base and clinical applications of modifiable lifestyle factors.
Take a closer look at how the factors below affect the body: