Researchers have found that many diseases believed to be associated with loneliness may be caused by other factors. Previous research showed a connection between loneliness and certain mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, as well as physical problems like high blood pressure, digestive issues, and even premature death.
In a new study, researchers from the Brain Hospital at Guangzhou Medical University collaborated with colleagues from other institutions in China and the United States. According to “Medical Xpress,” evidence showed that some diseases linked to loneliness might be due to different factors.
The researchers analyzed biomedical data, including information on hundreds of thousands of patients in the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. The analysis revealed that patients who felt lonely were more likely to suffer from 30 out of 56 pre-selected medical conditions.
It was found that many of these conditions coincided with feelings of loneliness, but were not caused by it. The team concluded that loneliness might cause some mental illnesses and play a role in other issues, such as the development of infections and hormonal changes, leading to a variety of health problems.
-
-
-
