Why do I want to sleep when I have a cold?
Colds are common diseases in daily life. Many people feel extremely tired when they have a cold, and even want to sleep all day long. There is actually a scientific explanation behind this phenomenon. This article will analyze the relationship between colds and sleepiness from multiple angles based on the hot topics and content on the Internet in the past 10 days, and attach relevant data for reference.
1. Physiological causes of drowsiness during colds
After a cold virus invades the human body, the immune system will activate a defense mechanism and release a large amount of cytokines (such as interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor). While these substances fight viruses, they also send fatigue signals to the brain, prompting the body to enter a resting state to concentrate energy on fighting the infection.
| related cytokines | Mechanism of action | Effect on sleep |
|---|---|---|
| interleukin-1 | activate immune response | Increase slow wave sleep time |
| tumor necrosis factor | Promote inflammatory response | induce fatigue |
2. Energy distribution theory
The body uses a lot of energy to fight infection. The basal metabolic rate decreases by about 10% during sleep, and the energy saved can be used by the immune system. Studies have shown that adequate sleep can significantly increase T cell activity, which is an important evolutionary advantage for sleepiness during colds.
| sleep time | Metabolic rate changes | Increased T cell activity |
|---|---|---|
| 7-8 hours | -8% | 23% |
| <6 hours | -5% | 12% |
3. Recent hot topics
According to hot spot monitoring across the entire network, topics related to "cold sleepiness" in the past 10 days have mainly focused on the following aspects:
| topic | Discussion popularity | Main point |
|---|---|---|
| Should you work hard when you have a cold? | high fever | 92% of netizens support proper rest |
| Drowsiness ingredients in cold medicine | medium heat | Chlorpheniramine attracts the most attention |
| Dietary advice during a cold | high fever | Vitamin C and zinc supplements are highly recommended |
4. Suggestions for scientifically dealing with cold somnolence
1.follow body signals: When you feel obvious drowsiness when you have a cold, it means that your body needs to rest. Forcibly staying awake may prolong the course of the disease.
2.Reasonably arrange work and rest: It is recommended to maintain 8-9 hours of sleep every day and add a 30-minute nap at noon.
3.Use medication with caution: Some cold medicines contain sedative ingredients. You should avoid driving or working at high altitudes after taking them.
| Common cold medicines | Drowsiness component | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| Tylenol cold tablets | None | Does not affect mental state |
| Feeling well | Chlorpheniramine | Avoid driving 4-6 hours after taking the medicine |
5. Latest opinions of experts
The winter health tips recently released by the Chinese Sleep Research Association point out:"Drowsiness during a cold is a normal physiological reaction. Adults can appropriately increase their daily sleep time by 1-2 hours. However, if sleepiness lasts for more than 10 hours, you need to be alert for complications."This is consistent with the latest guidelines from the International Society of Sleep Medicine.
A new study from Harvard Medical School also found that appropriately increasing sleep during a cold can shorten the course of the disease by about 30%, which explains why the traditional wisdom of "sleep more when you have a cold" has scientific basis.
Conclusion
The desire to sleep when you have a cold is an important signal sent by the body and is necessary for the immune system to work efficiently. In today's fast-paced life, we should learn to listen to these cues from our bodies and give them proper rest and care. Remember, the purpose of a temporary break is to recover quickly and get back to work and life.
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