The Meaningful Aspect Of Health That's Overlooked In Clinical Trials

By Christine Guo

Sleep is a intricate and multifaceted biological process crucial for human survival, increasingly linked through research to a range of adverse health outcomes. Sleep deficiency has been associated with heightened risks of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, cancer, compromised immune function, mood disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, accidents, and social isolation. Recognizing these associations, sleep is now acknowledged as a cornerstone of public health alongside nutrition and exercise, highlighting its profound impact on overall wellbeing.

Moreover, sleep problems frequently coexist with chronic conditions such as chronic pain, obesity, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, neuromuscular disorders, and cancer. For instance, individuals with chronic pain often experience fatigue and sleep difficulties as prominent manifestations of their condition in daily life, with reports of significant overlap between pain and sleep disturbances. Similarly, sleep disturbances are prevalent symptoms in neurological and psychiatric disorders including depression and Parkinson’s disease.

These examples underscore the intricate and interconnected relationship between sleep disturbances and chronic diseases. In contemporary society, approximately 35% of US adults reportedly sleep less than the recommended 7 hours per night set by the AASM, highlighting sleep as an increasingly prevalent health concern.