Not sleeping well could hurt the immune system, expert warns

A medical practitioner at Healing Grace Hospital, Ilorin, Dr Olawale Bello, has warned Nigerians against not sleeping well as it could hurt the immune system.

Bello told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ilorin that sleep deprivation rendered the human body prone to many ailments.

He advised that in spite of people’s busy schedule, they should make out time to have enough rest for a healthy life.

”As an adult, one needs up to 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night, but some people don’t know this or decide to just do as they like.

”Some people don’t even get to sleep at all during the night while some get as low as two or three hours which isn’t good enough.

”Once you are not getting good sleep, your skin may soon show it. Sleep deprivation also hurts the immune system, leaving your body open to many different issues,” Bello said.

He added that waking up with a sore throat, dry mouth, or headache could also point to a medical reason that one is sleeping poorly.

According to Bello, lack of sleep could also cause some skin disorders.

”Redness, puffiness, dark circles, and bags are all signs that you’re not getting enough shut-eye, and the sleep-deprived tend to get more wrinkles, lines, swelling, and droopiness.

”This is because it may be that the body misses out on the hormone control and tissue repair that happens in deep sleep stages,” he said.

The medical expert however advised that people should always have regular exercise especially workout, that gets the heart pumping to promote deeper sleep.

”It is good if one can stick to a schedule, which means going to bed and waking up about the same time each day. Keeping the room quiet and dark also helps,” Bello said.