Sleep Could Prevent the Common Cold
January 31st, 2009 | 
Author: Reported by: Marybeth Brush
Runny nose, sneezing, and a fever are all signs you’re under the weather.
A new study has researchers linking the amount of sleep you get and the common cold.
The CDC says 22 million school days are lost annually in the United States due to the common cold.
Along with hand washing and taking vitamins, there’s an important way to fine tune your immune system.
Todd Smith is used to a having a packed schedule. "I got four children at home so it’s a pretty hectic lifestyle."
He juggles his family with his full-time job as a Republic High School science teacher and football coach. "My time is very valuable and very busy."
But after years of not getting the right sleep he was diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Smith says, "it definitely had an impact on my health, I found I had more of the common cold, headaches, definitely headaches played into that role."
Dr. John Brabson of the St. John’s Sleep Disorder Center says, "sleep is one of the essential things the body needs to survive, like food and water."
Dr. Brabson agrees with the study out of Carnegie Mellon University. "We know now, people who are either not getting enough sleep or who are getting poor quality sleep for a period of time are more susceptible to infections."
The study says if you get less than seven hours of sleep a night you are three times more likely to get a cold.
Dr. Brabson adds, "our society, in general, is sleep deprived we tend to think of sleep as the last thing, and first thing to sacrifice."
Now Smith is feeling better and realizing the importance of sleep. "My energy level is been really good, and I have felt better throughout the day."
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common cold is caused by virus so the logical thing to do is to boost our immune system by eating fruits that are high in Vitamin-C. this would reduce our chances of catching the common cold