EON

Ottawa – In a recent study led by Sheldon Cohen of Carnegie Melon University, researchers showed a correlation between lack of sleep and vulnerability to sickness.

The Study, released in the January 12th issue of ‘The archives of Internal Medicine’, demonstrated that individuals who have been exposed to a rhinovirus are three times as likely to come down with a cold.

This study examined 153 men and women from a range of ages who volunteered to have their sleep patterns monitored for 14 days and to then be exposed to a rhinovirus through nasal drops. After exposure, study participants were quarantined for five days and observed for signs and symptoms of illness.

According to the study, the participants that reported sleeping less than 7 hours per night prior to exposure “were 2.94 times more likely to develop a cold than those with 8 hours or more of sleep” and those who slept poorly after exposure were more than 5 times as likely to succumb to the virus. Strengthening their claims, researchers ruled out other possible variables that may have influenced the results and stated that “these relationships could not be explained by…demographics, season of the year, body mass, socioeconomic status, psychological variables, or health practices.”

A good night’s sleep has long been considered necessary for good health and these results may not come as surprise to some. Whether or not this study is news to troubled sleepers around the world, they now have one more reason to get some well needed rest.