ABP Live Doc Talk: How Sleep Habits Quietly Weaken Throat Immunity? Know The Hidden Link

The‍‌‍‍‌ throat's immunity is greatly compromised by late-night habits that interfere with the natural sleep cycle and immune function. A lack of sleep over a period of time will considerably lower the mucosal defense in the throat so that infections can easily enter the body.

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Poor Sleep, Higher Risk Of Throat Inflammation

Engaging in late-night habits such as long screen time or eating at random times degrades the deep sleep stages that are necessary for the production of T cells which in turn strengthen the immunity of the throat. Regular sleep deprivation causes an increase in the hormone cortisol which results in a reduction of mucosal IgA antibodies that are responsible for the protection of the throat linings against harmful microorganisms. Pharyngitis recurrence has been associated with a deficiency in the REM sleep cycle as a consequence of the lack of deep sleep during which cytokines are released to control inflammation.

Why Some Sleep 'Hacks' Can Backfire

Going to bed late is usually accompanied by blue light exposure which delays the release of melatonin and thus causes non-restorative sleep during which the tissues in the throat are dried due to mouth breathing. Mouth Taping s a dangerous trend and can lead to breathing difficulty, choking risk, and worsening sleep-disordered breathing. One should not practice the same. Eating at night causes acid reflux which damages the mucosa of the esophagus and throat thus giving the same symptoms as GERD such as discomfort during the night. Drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages late at night causes the dehydration of the mouth making it a fertile ground for bacterial overgrowth and therefore the weakening of the local ‍‌‍‍‌immunity.

A combination of poor sleep and swelling of the pharyngeal tissues due to the body trying to fight a virus causes the throat immunity to be compromised. This situation leads to airways getting narrowed and hence, snoring or apnea could be produced, which then adds up to the problem of immunity being highly stressed. I have observed a decrease in the patient's capability to resist the virus, and this is also supported by the experiments showing that individuals who have been deprived of sleep are 4 times more likely to get a cold or any other viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Hence, there is a cycle of inflammation that is created here: the inflamed pharynx causes the patient to have a bad night's sleep, and this keeps the patient exposed to the disease for a longer time.

Disclaimer: The information provided in the article is shared by experts and is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.