A recent study has confirmed the crucial role that sleep plays in supporting immune levels and suggests that individuals who sleep less than six or more than nine hours may be at a higher risk of getting sick.

The study emphasises that poor sleep can increase an individual's risk of developing infections such as colds and the flu.

Published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, the study conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1,848 unselected patients in Norway.

It aimed to determine whether self-reported measures of chronic insomnia disorder, chronic sleep issues, sleep length, and circadian preference were linked to the risk of infections and antibiotic use.

The survey found a substantial correlation between sleep and infection, with individuals reporting persistent sleep issues at higher risk of infection and antibiotic use.

After the study, it was discovered that patients sleeping below six hours or more than nine hours were at a 27% and 44% higher risk of infection, respectively.

The study highlights the importance of maintaining healthy sleep habits to support immune function and overall health.

“Those who reported sleeping more than 9 hours were 44% more likely to report an infection compared to those who slept 7-8 hours,” Ingeborg Forthun, PhD, a researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and co-author of the study, told Healthline.

On the other hand, she continued, “those who reported sleeping less than 6 hours were 27% more likely to report an infection.”

According to the study, individuals who obtained less than six hours of sleep each night or had chronic insomnia were also more likely to require antibiotics to treat their infection.

Dr. Randall Wright, a neurologist at Houston Methodist and medical director for Brain Wellness at Woodlands Hospital, emphasized the importance of prioritizing sleep in light of these findings.

He told Healthline that the study serves as a testament to why everyone should make adequate sleep a top priority.

He added, “Sleep is a time to save and reset the body. We get to replenish many of the chemicals that our body needs. It is a time for our immune system to bolster itself.”

Another medical director at Indiana Sleep Center, Dr. Abhinav Singh, said not getting too enough sleep can hinder white blood cells from reaching affected sites in the body.

He told Healthline, “White blood cells are a vital element of our immune system and help the body fight off infections caused by viruses and bacteria.

“Lack of sleep can also cause the body to release more of the stress hormones adrenaline and prostaglandin shared Singh. This is critical, as they “lower levels of integrin, a molecule that helps T-cells (part of white blood cells) stick to virus-infected cells and kill them.”

Blessing Adeniran, mother of the 12-year-old Chrisland pupil, Whitney, who died during the school’s inter-house sports, has disclosed that autopsy carried out on her daughter showed that she died of electrocution.

She made it known in an Instagram live video on Wednesday.

In the video, she said, “I want to thank everyone for your support, your calls and messages have helped us go through this very difficult period.

“The autopsy result is out and Desola was electrocuted. My daughter died of electrocution. I have been subjected to trauma for the past two weeks. Tomorrow will make it three weeks my baby died. The school made me think I was crazy They started pushing the narrative of she was sick; she was sickly. They sent letters and publications out.

“People insulted me and my family. My child was electrocuted to death. I told the school I don’t want trouble. All I want is answers. They came to my house and knelt down.

“I begged, I pleaded, I said ‘Mrs Amao please, I don’t know how autopsy is being done but I have browsed it and the image is scary. Please my daughter is already dead, don’t make me put her through that, they will butcher her. I beg you in the name of God, you are a mother, help me investigate and find out what happened.’

“She said she doesn’t know. They refused to investigate.

“My daughter was butchered for autopsy. She was opened up. They took part of her kidney, liver, stomach contents, blood, brain, bone marrow. Omodesola was butchered just because Chrisland kept protecting their reputation.”

Many individuals fast for a variety of reasons. For example, some people do it for religious, moral, or even health reasons. When someone fasts, they refrain from eating, drinking, or both for a certain amount of time.

This is crucial because a fast causes the digestive system to temporarily stop functioning, and returning to your regular diet right away after a fast is bad for your digestive system and could have negative effects.

Here are the items to avoid eating while breaking your fast in light of this:

1) Alcohol

Alcohol should not be consumed after a fast. This is because the body absorbs alcohol more rapidly when your stomach is empty, which increases the risk of alcohol intoxication since the body cannot process alcohol as quickly as it is ingested.

2) Fries
Fries are one item to stay away from while breaking your fast. This is due to heartburn that might result from eating fried or acidic meals right after a fast. Additionally, the acidity could make gastrointestinal issues worse.

3) Sweets

Sweets are another item that you shouldn't eat to break your fast. Sugar consumption immediately after a fast is undesirable because the body is unable to create enough insulin at this time to keep blood sugar levels at normal levels. Serious complications like eye problems or an upset of the acid-alkaline balance may follow.

4) Carbonated drinks
Additionally, you shouldn't break a fast with carbonated beverages. This is because it may induce a bloated stomach and worsen the acidic state of the stomach.

5) Fruit juice
Using fruit juice to break your fast is another sin. Issues including constipation, acid reflux, and stomach discomfort might result from this.