Better Sleep, Half the Ailments ——Sleep Rehabilitation Recommendations from the Heavy Ion Psycho
Better Sleep, Half the Ailments
——Sleep Rehabilitation Recommendations from the Heavy Ion Psycho-Somatic Sleep Center
Dear patients and their families,
In the long journey of combating tumors, beyond advanced medical treatments, there exists a powerful yet often overlooked "natural therapy" in our midst—quality sleep. Far more than mere rest, it is a critical process through which the body repairs, recharges, and strengthens its defenses. As an ancient proverb goes, "Supplementing with herbs is no match for supplementing with food; supplementing with food is no match for supplementing with sleep." This wisdom is now deeply validated by modern science.
Sleep: The "Fuel Station" for the Immune System
A robust immune system is the cornerstone of tumor resistance. Scientific research provides compelling evidence: During deep sleep (particularly slow-wave sleep), the pituitary gland releases growth hormone in a pulsatile manner. This hormone not only promotes tissue repair and cell regeneration but also enhances the activity of immune cells. Meanwhile, the body increases the production and release of proteins called "cytokines"—these act as both messengers and weapons of the immune system. Some cytokines, such as interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), directly participate in attacking and eliminating abnormal cells while regulating immune responses.
Conversely, insufficient sleep disrupts this delicate balance. Studies have found that individuals who sleep fewer than six hours per night or have poor sleep quality exhibit significantly reduced activity of natural killer cells (NK cells)—the core of the innate immune system, hailed as the "first line of anti-tumor defense" for their ability to rapidly identify and destroy cancer cells and virus-infected cells. Sleep deprivation is akin to silently weakening the combat effectiveness of this elite force.
Multiple Benefits of Sleep for Treatment and Recovery
1. Alleviating Inflammatory Responses: Chronic inflammation often accompanies tumors and their treatment processes, and such inflammation can drive tumor progression. High-quality sleep effectively reduces levels of inflammatory markers (e.g., C-reactive protein [CRP]), creating a "low-inflammatory" environment in the body that is unfavorable to disease development.
2. Stabilizing Endocrine Function: Sleep helps regulate the secretion of stress hormones (e.g., cortisol). Chronically elevated cortisol levels can suppress immune function, whereas regular sleep maintains its normal circadian rhythm, mitigating negative impacts on the immune system.
3. Enhancing Treatment Efficacy and Quality of Life: Patients who rest adequately tend to exhibit better tolerance to treatment, with relatively reduced side effects and more stable moods. This empowers them with greater confidence and physical strength to complete their entire treatment course.
How to Practice "Sleep Rehabilitation"?
•Create a sleep-conducive environment: Keep the bedroom dark (use blackout curtains), quiet, and cool (around 18–22°C).
•Stick to a regular sleep schedule: Even on weekends, try to keep consistent bedtime and wake-up times to reset your biological clock.
•Establish relaxation rituals: Avoid blue light from mobile phones and computers one hour before bed. Try deep breathing, meditation, warm foot baths, or listening to soft music.
•Optimize diet and exercise: Avoid coffee and strong tea in the afternoon. Moderate daytime activity can aid nighttime sleep, but avoid strenuous exercise close to bedtime.
The Psycho-Somatic Sleep Center at the Heavy Ion Hospital of Wuwei Tumor Hospital, Gansu Province, is dedicated to providing comprehensive, lifelong health management for patients with tumors and chronic diseases. Leveraging the world’s first tumor rehabilitation town, the center integrates multiple approaches such as heavy ion therapy, psychological and sleep interventions, traditional Chinese medicine physiotherapy, and rehabilitation treatments to form a distinctive diagnostic and treatment system characterized by "holistic body-mind care and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine." It focuses on improving patients' sleep and psychological disorders to promote overall recovery.
The center has invited Professor Chen Kaibing, a renowned sleep medicine expert from our province, to conduct regular consultations at our hospital.
Consultation Time: First half of Sunday, September 21, 2025
Science Popularization Lecture: Second half of Sunday, September 21, 2025
Location: (Psycho-Somatic Sleep Center, Heavy Ion Rehabilitation Department)
Remember, prioritizing sleep is no trivial matter—it is an important "treatment task." Every sound night of sleep delivers vital nourishment to your body’s immune forces and accumulates precious strength for the ultimate victory. May you enjoy peaceful nights, greeting the dawn of recovery with abundant energy.
Preliminary Review: Zhang Jie
Final Review: Ma Shuqian