A recent study in The Journal of Immunology shows that short or poor-quality sleep can raise inflammation markers and stiffen arteries, even in otherwise healthy people.
Normally, inflammation is your body’s built-in emergency response, rushing to repair damage and fight off infections. But missing enough rest may quietly stoke chronic inflammation, heightening long-term risks.
It’s not just COVID we should worry about—our daily habits, like how much we sleep, can also fan the flames of hidden danger.
Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation: The Tale of Two Fires
When inflammation strikes, your body’s defense team springs into action. Immune cells release chemicals like bradykinin and histamine that widen tiny blood vessels, flooding the area with extra blood.
This rush makes the injured spot red, warm, and sometimes sore—helping protect and repair the damage.
At the same time, these chemicals encourage more immune cells to leave the blood and enter the affected tissue, bringing along extra fluid that causes swelling.
Over time, the body clears away this fluid, and the swelling fades. Even in your nose, inflamed membranes produce extra mucus to help flush out invaders.
This quick, powerful response is called acute inflammation. It’s essential: without it, minor injuries could turn into serious problems.
But what happens if that fire alarm never stops ringing?
When the response lingers, it’s like a small flame turning into a slow-burning fire that gradually damages your home. This is known as chronic inflammation.
Over time, this persistent, low-level battle can harm healthy tissues, increasing the risk of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and even some cancers.
What Causes Inflammation?
Inflammation can be triggered by many factors in our everyday lives. Here’s a quick look at the common causes:
Acute Inflammation (short-term):
- Injuries (cuts, bruises, etc.)
- Infections (bacterial, viral, or fungal)
Chronic Inflammation (long-term, lifestyle-related):
- Low physical activity
- Chronic stress
- Obesity, especially excess belly fat (BMI ≥30)
- Imbalance of gut microbes (dysbiosis)
- Diet high in trans fats or salt
- Disrupted sleep or irregular circadian rhythms
- Exposure to toxins (air pollution, hazardous waste, industrial chemicals)
- Tobacco use
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Why it matters?
Inflammation is a double-edged sword. It is a vital part of our immune system—our first line of defense against injury and infection.
However, if it becomes chronic, it can turn from a helpful response into a harmful, hidden threat that fuels long-term diseases.
By understanding this balance, we can appreciate why managing inflammation is key to maintaining our overall health.
References:
- Al-Rashed, F., Alsaeed, H., Akhter, N., Alabduljader, H., Al-Mulla, F., & Ahmad, R. (2025). Impact of sleep deprivation on monocyte subclasses and function. The Journal of Immunology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/jimmun/vkae016
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). The inflammatory response. In NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279298/
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Inflammation. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21660-inflammation
