The Impact of Cortisol on the Immune System and Nighttime Symptoms of Illness

However, cortisol also has a dampening effect on the immune system, so when levels drop at night, the defenses become more active.

Struggle against disease gives fever

White blood cells therefore fight harder against infections. They do this by releasing a large number of substances that cause inflammation and kill microorganisms. However, the increased inflammation levels also cause unpleasant symptoms such as fever, headache and pain throughout your body.

A stuffy nose and coughing fits also get worse when you lie down because gravity can’t help drain the mucus. Therefore, it accumulates in the nose and throat and blocks the airways. And because you don’t drink water at night, the mucus thickens.

A research team once observed that the need to blow your nose when you have a cold or flu is two to three times as high between 8 and 11 a.m. than at the end of the afternoon and early evening.

An illness can also feel worse at night because you have fewer things to do to take your mind off the symptoms.

2023-11-25 09:54:55
#youre #sicker #night