Have you ever noticed that your symptoms get worse at night? Or that you wake up feeling terrible but by the afternoon, you’re feeling much better? It’s not just in your head – studies have shown that the time of day can affect the severity of sickness.

The Body’s Circadian Rhythm

The body has an internal clock that regulates various biological functions including sleep/wake cycles, hormone production, and immune function.

This clock is known as the circadian rhythm and it is influenced by external factors such as light and temperature.

Our circadian rhythm regulates our immune system’s response to pathogens and illnesses. For example, during the day, our immune system is more active and better equipped to fight off infections.

At night, however, our immune system is subdued, and pathogens are more likely to thrive.

Morning Symptoms

Some illnesses, such as allergies and asthma, tend to be worse in the morning. This is because our hormone levels, including cortisol, are naturally higher in the morning.

Cortisol is a stress hormone that helps regulate inflammation, and its levels are lowest at night. This means that when we wake up, our bodies are already experiencing some degree of inflammation, which can make allergic or asthmatic symptoms worse.

On the other hand, symptoms of illnesses such as the flu or cold are often worse at night. This may be because our body’s temperature drops at night, leading to more congestion in the sinuses and lungs.

Related Article When is the best time to be sick?

Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies, such as hay fever, tend to be worse in the morning as well. Pollen levels tend to be highest in the morning, so if you’re exposed to pollen while you sleep, you may wake up with more severe symptoms.

However, not everyone experiences worsening symptoms in the morning. Some people may experience more severe symptoms in the late afternoon or evening.

It varies from person to person and can depend on factors such as the type of allergen, time of day, and individual immune response.

The Importance of Sleep

A good night’s sleep is crucial for our immune system to function properly. When we don’t get enough sleep, our immune system is weakened, and we become more susceptible to infections.

In addition, lack of sleep can make symptoms of illness worse.

On the other hand, getting enough sleep can help alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery time. This is because our body repairs and regenerates tissues during sleep, and our immune system is better able to fight off infections.

Conclusion

The time of day can play a role in the severity of illness symptoms. Allergies and asthma tend to be worse in the morning, while symptoms of illnesses such as the flu or cold are often worse at night.

The body’s circadian rhythm and internal clock regulate our immune system’s response to pathogens and illnesses, and getting enough sleep is crucial for our immune system to function properly.