Inadequate sleep during young age might increment the chance of multiple sclerosis

A recent study published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry suggests that a lack of sufficient sleep during the teenage years may increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, which was conducted as a case-control study on a population of Swedish residents between the ages of 16 and 70, found that individuals with MS who reported less sleep and lower quality sleep during their teenage years were at a higher risk of developing the condition.

MS is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and difficulty with coordination and balance. While the exact causes of MS are not fully understood, a combination of genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role, including smoking, body mass index (BMI) during adolescence, Epstein-Barr virus infection, sun exposure, and vitamin D levels.

The study's focus was on sleep patterns during the adolescent years, specifically between the ages of 15 and 19. Participants were asked about their sleeping habits at various ages, including the length of sleep on work or school days and on weekends or free days. Short sleep was defined as less than 7 hours per night, sufficient sleep as 7-9 hours, and extended sleep as at least 10 hours. The researchers also looked at changes in sleep timing between work or school days and weekends, and assessed sleep quality using a five-point scale, with 5 being excellent.

The results of the study showed that individuals with exposure of Phones during bedtime has a serious impact in their health. The blue light emitted by your cell phone screen restrains the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycle (aka circadian rhythm). Melatonin is a natural product found in plants and animals. It is primarily known in animals as a hormone released by the pineal gland in the brain at night, and has long been associated with control of the sleep–wake cycle. The hormone plays many vital roles in keeping the body healthy. Phones usage at night is very common among youth which makes it even more difficult to fall asleep and wake up the next day.

The study also found that shift work, which has been previously linked to an increased risk of MS, may be related to sleep patterns, specifically disruptions to the body's circadian rhythm and sleep quality. The researchers suggest that further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between sleep patterns and the risk of developing MS.

It is important to note that the findings of the study should be interpreted cautiously, as it is possible that the association between poor sleep and MS may be due to neurological damage rather than the other way around. However, the study highlights the importance of adequate and quality sleep during the teenage years for overall health and the potential to lower the risk of developing MS.

In light of this study, the researchers suggest that interventions to educate teenagers and their parents about the negative health effects of inadequate sleep may be important to help prevent the development of MS. They also pointed out that the availability of technology and internet access at all hours contribute to poor sleep among young people and it is a significant public health problem now a days.

Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy sleep schedule during the teenage years, as it may be a crucial factor in reducing the risk of developing MS. It also highlights the need for further research to fully understand the relationship between sleep patterns and the risk of developing MS.