Sleep Deficiency and Chronic Illness: What Every GP Should Watch For

As sleep disorders quietly contribute to a growing burden of chronic illness, GPs are in a key position to intervene early. Insufficient sleep is linked to heightened risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression. During standard consultations, GPs can incorporate quick sleep quality checks and recommend evidence-based lifestyle interventions, including natural sleep aids and behavioral strategies. By elevating sleep as a vital sign, practitioners can improve patient outcomes, reduce dependence on medications, and promote whole-person care. It’s time to make sleep health a routine part of preventative medicine.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/chronic_disease.html