"Guo Dalin, how have you slept lately?" Dr. Liu looked up as he flipped through the examination report in his hand, and his eyes under his glasses revealed a hint of concern.
"Alas, doctor, don't mention it, I've been sleeping like a mess all this time." Guo Dalin shook his head with a wry smile, as a creative director of an advertising agency, his work is always accompanied by endless overtime and staying up late.
"It's almost early in the morning when I get home every day, and I really can't bear it." Dr. Liu nodded, "According to your test results, your pancreas is not very optimistic.
Have you been feeling tired lately, or have you had indigestion? Guo Dalin was stunned for a moment, "Yes, doctor, these symptoms are all there." However, I thought it was just a matter of stress. ”
"It's possible, but you know what?" Dr. Liu pushed his glasses, "The latest research shows that poor sleep habits, especially staying up late for long periods of time, may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. ”
When Guo Dalin heard this, his eyes widened, "Really? Is there anything to do between the two? ”
Dr. Liu smiled, apparently meeting a curious patient, "The pancreas is a very important organ responsible for secreting insulin and digestive enzymes.
Long-term sleep deprivation can lead to a disorder in the body's biological clock, affecting the normal function of the pancreas.
According to a large-scale epidemiological survey conducted in China, the incidence of pancreatic cancer was 30% higher in people who slept less than 6 hours per night for a long time compared with those who slept more than 7 hours per night. ”
When Guo Dalin heard this, his mouth opened wider, "Then wouldn't I be very dangerous?" ”
"Don't worry," Dr. Lau reassured, "although the data may seem scary, it doesn't mean that you will definitely get pancreatic cancer." The point is that we need to change these bad habits from now on. ”
Guo Dalin thought for a while and asked, "But, doctor, why does lack of sleep affect the pancreas?" ”
"Good question," Dr. Liu patted him on the shoulder, "Actually, sleep deprivation can cause a range of physiological and biochemical reactions.
First, sleep deprivation increases inflammation in the body, and the pancreas itself is an organ that is susceptible to inflammation.
Secondly, lack of sleep can lead to an imbalance in hormone levels in the body, especially an increase in the stress hormone cortisol, which can affect the normal metabolism and function of pancreatic cells. ”
Guo Dalin was frightened when he heard this, and quickly asked, "Then what should I do now?" ”
"First, adjust your sleep schedule," Dr. Lau says, earnestly, "and make sure you get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night."
Then pay attention to eating a healthy diet, eat less high-fat, high-sugar foods, and eat more vegetables and fruits that contain fiber and vitamins. In addition, regular medical checkups are also indispensable. ”
Guo Dalin nodded and asked thoughtfully, "Then if I start to adjust my schedule now, can I effectively prevent it?" ”
"Of course," Dr. Liu laughs, "the human body has a strong ability to repair itself, and as long as you can adjust your routine and develop healthy lifestyle habits, the risk will be greatly reduced." ”
Guo Dalin breathed a sigh of relief and was determined to change his lifestyle from today.
Are there any other lifestyle habits besides sleep that affect the health of the pancreas?
Recent studies have found that unhealthy lifestyle habits such as sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking can also have a negative impact on pancreatic health.
For example, long-term smokers have a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer, and drinking too much alcohol can lead to chronic pancreatitis, which increases the risk of cancer.
To keep your pancreas healthy, in addition to getting enough sleep, you need to exercise more, drink less, quit smoking, and maintain a good diet, which are all key measures to prevent pancreatic diseases.
In short, many seemingly trivial habits in life can have a significant impact on our health, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can better prevent diseases and have a long and healthy life.
Hope it helps, thank you!
Bibliography:
[1] Huang Xiuquan, Cen Lanying, Wang Yuyang, et al. Review of risk factors related to the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer[J].Chinese Medical Innovation,2023,20(36):185-188.)