DEAR DR. GOTT: I have noticed a direct correlation between lack of sleep and the eruption and/or proliferation of acne on my face. In fact, I have noticed that I experience a general feeling of being inflamed (breast tenderness, abdominal bloating and body aches) when I miss sleep or it is interrupted. I have found that taking a dose of ibuprofen will stave off the acne or the general feeling of inflammation if I know in advance I will not be getting adequate sleep.
Is this a bad practice? Is there anything I can do to arrest this process when those unavoidable interruptions occur? Is this an indication of a deeper, perhaps hormonal issue that can be treated?
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