How Partial Sleep Deprivation Triggers Inflammation in the Body

We’ve all had those nights where sleep just doesn’t happen. Maybe it’s a looming deadline, noisy neighbors, or a restless mind. While the occasional late night might not raise alarms, persistent partial sleep deprivation can have much deeper consequences than feeling groggy.

A recent study is shedding light on how sleep loss can silently fuel inflammation and lay the groundwork for more serious chronic conditions.¹ This connection is especially important for individuals managing autoimmune disorders, arthritis, or other inflammation-driven diseases.

At IDYLLIC Infusion Treatment Center, we want patients to feel empowered because knowing how sleep impacts inflammation helps you make choices that truly matter for your health.

What Is Partial Sleep Deprivation?

Partial sleep deprivation simply means getting less sleep than your body needs over an extended period, typically falling short of the recommended 7–9 hours per night for adults.² Unlike total sleep deprivation (pulling an all-nighter), partial deprivation is more insidious. It creeps in gradually and often goes unnoticed, especially among those juggling busy schedules or caregiving responsibilities.

What makes this especially concerning is that even a few hours lost each night can disrupt the body’s immune responses. A single night of poor sleep may not cause inflammation because the body temporarily releases the stress hormone cortisol, which has anti-inflammatory properties. But when sleep deprivation becomes chronic, the body becomes less responsive to those hormones. This change lets inflammation run unchecked, paving the way for persistent low-grade inflammation that’s tied to many long-term health concerns.³

Key Inflammatory Markers Affected by Poor Sleep

Chronic partial sleep deprivation has been associated with significant changes in several important biomarkers of inflammation, such as:

C-Reactive Protein (CRP): CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. Elevated CRP levels are a well-established indicator of systemic inflammation and are often seen in individuals with cardiovascular disease, arthritis, or infections. Studies show that reduced sleep duration correlates with higher CRP levels, even in otherwise healthy adults.^3,4
Interleukin-6 (IL-6): IL-6 is a cytokine that plays a dual role. It helps fight infection but also contributes to chronic inflammation when overproduced. Sleep loss has been shown to cause a surge in IL-6, which may disturb immune system balance.^3,5
Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α): TNF-α is another inflammatory cytokine linked to autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Interestingly, the study found that partial sleep deprivation did not significantly increase TNF-α levels. This suggests that while other markers such as CRP and IL-6 rise with poor sleep, TNF-α may not play the same role in sleep-related inflammation.^3,6,7
Leukocytes (White Blood Cells): Sleep deprivation can increase the number and activity of circulating white blood cells, which may sound beneficial, but in excess, it suggests an ongoing, unnecessary immune response, contributing to low-grade inflammation.^8,9

New Study Links Sleep Deprivation to Systemic Inflammation

A 2025 study published in the Journal of Sleep Research found that persistent partial sleep deprivation significantly elevated markers of systemic inflammation. Participants who consistently slept less than six hours a night exhibited higher levels of CRP and IL-6, both of which remained elevated even after accounting for other factors like BMI or underlying illness.^1,3

What’s especially compelling is the study’s focus on “real-world” sleep loss, not just total sleep deprivation in a lab setting. These findings underscore a powerful message that even moderate sleep loss over time can activate inflammatory pathways and may accelerate the progression of inflammatory diseases or increase risk for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.^1,10

The Science Behind How Sleep Loss Triggers Inflammation

Why does missing out on sleep spark such a potent inflammatory response? It starts with the brain’s control over the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates cortisol, the stress hormone.

When sleep is restricted, the body releases more cortisol, which can help reduce inflammation short-term. However, over prolonged periods, the body becomes less responsive to cortisol’s anti-inflammatory signaling.³ As a result, the natural nighttime drop in inflammation that healthy sleepers experience is disrupted.

At the same time, sleep deprivation activates nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), which is akin to a master switch that turns on genes linked to inflammation. This activation sends the immune system into overdrive, leading to a persistent low-grade inflammatory state.³

Health Risks of Chronic Inflammation from Sleep Deprivation

Prolonged inflammation, especially when it goes unchecked, can wreak havoc on multiple body systems.

Increased Cardiovascular Risk: Inflammation is a key contributor to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries), increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. CRP levels, in particular, are a predictive marker for cardiac events.¹¹
Worsened Autoimmune Disease Outcomes: People with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus may experience more frequent and intense flares when their sleep is disrupted. Elevated cytokine levels make existing inflammation harder to manage.¹²
Mental Health Concerns: Inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and TNF-α are not linked only to inflammation but also to mood disorders, including depression and anxiety.¹³
Metabolic Dysfunction: Inflammatory changes interfere with insulin signaling, raising the risk for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.⁸

Practical Strategies to Reduce Inflammation Through Better Sleep

If you suspect your sleep habits may be contributing to your inflammation, the good news is that small, intentional changes can make a big difference. Here are some expert-backed strategies:

Prioritize Sleep Hygiene: Keep a consistent bedtime and wake time, limit caffeine after 2 p.m., and reduce screen exposure in the hour before bed. A dark, cool, quiet room promotes better quality sleep.
Watch Your Diet: Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon and walnuts), antioxidants (like berries and leafy greens), and magnesium (found in dark chocolate and almonds) can support anti-inflammatory processes and better sleep.
Exercise: Regular physical activity lowers inflammation, but vigorous workouts right before bed may disrupt sleep. Try exercising earlier in the day.
Manage Stress: Chronic stress keeps cortisol high, which disrupts sleep and fuels inflammation. Try mindfulness meditation, yoga, journaling, or deep breathing techniques.
Limit Alcohol and Tobacco: Both can interfere with REM sleep and elevate inflammatory markers like CRP and IL-6.^14,15

Take Control of Chronic Inflammation With Professional Guidance at IDYLLIC

If you’re living with a condition like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or another autoimmune or inflammatory disease, addressing your sleep may be an important part of your therapy plan. At IDYLLIC Infusion Treatment Center, we help patients reduce inflammation through both advanced biologic medications and holistic support.

Before starting any infusion-based medical treatment, it’s important to first talk to your primary care physician. If they believe you’re a good candidate for infusion therapy, we’re here to help! We collaborate with your doctors to recommend the right biologic therapies for your needs. Our treatments target the immune system to calm inflammation, and we also guide you on lifestyle factors like sleep and nutrition for a well-rounded plan. Most importantly, our team provides care in a warm, supportive environment where you feel informed and heard. Schedule a consultation today to get started!

¹https://www.rheumatologyadvisor.com/news/persistent-partial-sleep-deprivation-linked-to-increased-inflammatory-markers/

²https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/effects-of-sleep-deprivation

³https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsr.70099#xd_co_f=ZWQ1N2U5YWYtMjQ5MS00MGE3LTk0M2QtOTYzZTJjM2UwYWIw~

⁴https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441843/

⁵https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4176007/

⁶https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7962638/

⁷https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4666828/

⁸https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3548567/

⁹https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11818-025-00495-6

¹⁰https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/how-sleep-deprivation-can-cause-inflammation

¹¹https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36361701/

¹²https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11818-025-00495-6