Can poor sleep lead to low white blood cell count?
Disease description:
Recently, I have been experiencing poor sleep at night, and I feel that I may have some insomnia. I would like to ask, can poor rest lead to low white blood cell count?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
Poor rest, especially long-term sleep disturbances, may have a certain impact on white blood cell levels. Chronic sleep deprivation increases the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol, which may lead to immune system dysfunction and subsequently inhibit the production and activity of white blood cells. In addition, sleep disorders may exacerbate inflammatory responses, further reducing white blood cell function.
It should be noted that poor sleep does not directly cause a decrease in white blood cells but may indirectly affect white blood cell levels by influencing the immune system and inflammatory responses. If a decrease in white blood cells is detected, multiple factors should be considered comprehensively, including infections, hematologic disorders, physical or chemical injuries, overactivity of the mononuclear-phagocyte system, and autoimmune diseases.
It is recommended to maintain adequate sleep and a regular作息 schedule, along with a balanced diet and moderate exercise, to enhance immunity and promote overall health.
