This blood test could indicate whether you’re sleep deprived

For many of us, the struggle to get a good night’s sleep is a constant battle. But what if there was a way to objectively measure your sleep deprivation, beyond simply feeling tired? A groundbreaking development in blood testing might be the answer.

Researchers from Monash University, Australia, and the University of Birmingham, UK, have developed a blood test that can accurately identify sleep deprivation. This test, published in the journal Science Advances, analyses a combination of biomarkers in the blood that are affected by sleep.

In a conversation with indianexpress.com, Dr Praveen Kumar B S, consultant pulmonologist, Manipal Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore, explained how sleep deprivation is associated with health implications.

“As short-period consequences, one can have reduced alertness and increased irritability. We should also consider driving-related concerns such as accidents, as sleep deprivation can increase the likelihood of accidents. In the longer period, one can have a poor immune system and organ functioning, can become prone to depression, and also may result in the development of chronic health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, etc,” said Dr Kumar.

The test when approved for clinical practice can significantly improve safety by identifying sleep-deprived individuals in contexts such as driving and safety-critical workplaces, especially since the researchers found that about 20% of road accidents worldwide are caused by sleep deprivation.

We should also consider driving-related concerns such as accidents, as sleep deprivation can increase the likelihood of accidents. (file)

Traditionally, sleep deprivation has been assessed through self-reported sleep diaries or monitoring sleep patterns in a laboratory setting. These methods can be subjective and inconvenient. The new blood test offers a more objective and potentially easier way to gauge sleepiness.

The study found that the test could detect individuals who had been awake for 24 hours or more with an impressive 99.2% accuracy. The researchers believe the test can be further refined to detect shorter durations of sleep deprivation in the future.

According to Dr Kumar, the best way to treat and prevent sleep deprivation is to get enough sleep. The recommendation is that adults should sleep for at least seven hours a day. However, the ideal amount of sleep may vary from person to person.

There are a few tips for getting adequate sleep:

– One has to maintain good sleep hygiene every day.
– Have a calming bedtime routine every night, one to two hours before going to bed.
– Avoid digital devices before bed and even during night-time awakenings.
– Avoid daytime naps. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine in the late evenings.
– Keep the bedroom dark, cool, and quiet before bedtime.
– Engage in exercise every day for at least 20 to 30 minutes in the late evenings.

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