A new study using hamsters found chronic sleep disruption, or sleep cycle disruption, can cause heart and kidney disease. Researchers found when internal biological clocks in hamsters are out of sync with external regulators like light and dark, the heart becomes damaged and enlarged (cardiomyopathy) and the kidney tubules can be severely scarred.
 
Renewal of many tissues in the body occurs during sleep, thus sleep interruption can directly damage organs.
 
Researchers advise Trans-meridian flight crews, truck drivers and shift workers to take these findings into account when scheduling work time.

This article originally appeared in the April 2008 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.