Snoring and lack of sleep may reduce your chances of survival from Breast Cancer!

Yet again women are threatened to strive, not from social stigma, patriarchal society or the burden of procreation, but from the global disease - Breast cancer! A new trend of this cancer is setting in gradually among the women of 30’s and 40’s, threatening their life at an early stage. Also, the number of incidences of breast cancer are growing exponentially world over; however, awareness or screening which is the most important factor for survival of these patients, is failing terribly. Lately, the shocking sleep studies have revealed, how poor sleep negatively affects inflammatory pathways, speeding up tumor growth and deteriorates cancer prognosis!

An unusual sound made due to obstructed air while breathing (in the sleep) is ‘snoring’, which is a strong factor for sleep deprivation according to the research fraternity. Biologically speaking, sleep is a condition wherein the body is at rest and exhibits a state of mind characterized by alternate REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep cycles with altered consciousness, inhibited sensory activity, voluntary muscles and no/reduced interactions with surroundings. Sleep is known to rejuvenate the body and mind, and a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of sleep recommended in humans maintains the overall mental and physical health. However, deteriorating sleep habits and disorders are just around the corner that not only reduce the quality of life, but also increase the threat for cancer. 

‘Unlike so many things that can impact cancer risk and cancer prognosis, sleep is something that an individual can potentially control,’ says Amanda Phipps from the University of Washington, suggesting a link between poor sleep quality, short sleep duration and increased cancer risk. Phipps’s research was based on assessing the impact of sleep characteristics on women with breast cancer; the verdict being an eye-opening comparative studies wherein women with less than 6 hours of sleep each night and snoring more than 5 nights a week, were atleast twice more likely to die from the disease. These results were unaltered keeping in account the number of factors such as cancer site, smoking status, marital status and physical activity status.

As the number of people affected with breast cancer increases, so does the need for its awareness and early cancer detection screening techniques. Apart from opting for early detection of abnormalities in the body, healthy, sufficient sleep is essential for individual well-being. Dr. Nathaniel Watson, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine rightly says, ‘All adults should make it on of their top health priorities to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.’

‘Its proven yet again, that a ‘good’ night’s sleep can shoo away many impending health threats!’

Common cold in kids can cause Diabetes, too!

With monsoon around the corner, sneezes and sniffles will be heard everywhere! The culprit responsible is one of the most common infectious diseases of mankind, which  affects anyone and everyone, whether a baby or an adult. Yes, known to be caused by more than 200 viruses which change frequently overtime, “Common cold” continues to be unbeatable with no known cure till date.

When common cold strikes, adults or teenagers soothe their sore throats with hot water gargling, steam inhalation, intake of hot beverages and soups, and in case the cold gets severe, doctors prescribe cough syrups and medications to relieve the symptoms. The cold doesn’t spare newborns too, and is much difficult to manage and ease the discomfort felt by the little ones as their immune system is still developing. Babies can’t blow their noses therefore usually become uncomfortable with mucus, snuffling, irritability, fever, appetite loss, etc. As heartbreaking as it’s to watch a little one suffering terribly from just a minor cold, other than severe fever and weakness, adding up to the list of adversities faced due to common cold, is the sweet killer disease- Diabetes.

As per the recent research studies, a newborn suffering from common cold in the first few years of their lives are more prone to acquire Type-1 diabetes later in life. Common respiratory infections caused by either the most common group of viruses, Rhinoviruses or due to the second leading causal organism of cold-like symptoms, Enteroviruses, are on radar for research as candidate agents for diabetes triggers! 

Cold - Environmental trigger for Diabetes!

Various studies have indicated that these cold viruses directly affect the insulin-producing beta cells in pancreatic islets of the pancreas or induce an inflammation via production of cytokines that damage those cells. They can also activate auto-reactive T cells by molecular mimicry or bystander mechanisms, thus eventually developing islet autoimmunity, which later on fuels diabetes in adulthood. Since the early immune system of children in the first 6 to 12 months of life is more vulnerable to challenges posed by infectious agents, it has been observed notably, that various instances of concurrent enteroviral infections in this age group causes high islet autoimmunity later.

Common cold is inevitable, and a newborn will be definitely more susceptible to respiratory infections too early in life. Vital antibodies mainly from the mother’s milk build their bodies to fight through these ailments and grow stronger. Neglecting her own well-being, being ignorant to signs of any underlying diseases/disorders, and compromising good hygiene, proper sanitation, and healthy diet definitely puts a mother at risk of acquiring infections, which may cost her baby’s health too. Post-delivery, preventive healthcare testing should be a necessity for mothers with signs of any illness/weakness.

‘The uncommon reality of a most common illness, pleading for a cure since ages; therefore take care of yourself to eventually take care of your newborn!’