Pain Leads to Sleeplessness

As seen in the October 2008 issue of Healthwise

Did you know that in the adult population, about 15% of individuals report experiencing chronic pain and that this number rises to over 50% in older adults? More women (58%) suffer from nighttime pain than men (48%) according to the National Sleep Foundation’s Gallup Poll. Among those individuals suffering from chronic pain, about two-thirds report poor or unrefreshing sleep.

Aches and pains often lead to a loss of sleep. When pain disrupts sleep, you may experience difficulty in maintaining alertness, a lack of energy, impaired mood and trouble handling stress. Lack of sleep can also put you at risk for injury, poor health, workplace accidents and motor vehicle accidents.

Karen Block, Owner of Endeavor Therapy & Sleep Center located in Mequon, WI, states, “pain can cause difficulty falling asleep, nighttime awakenings, or waking too early in the morning. This interferes with the 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep that most adults need. People who suffer from pain during sleep often find it difficult to function at their best”. In fact, studies have shown that sleep loss can make a person more sensitive to pain. One study found that the kind of sleep deprivation caused by continuous sleep disturbances throughout the night, caused an increase in spontaneous pain and impaired the body’s ability to process and cope with painful stimuli.

The major causes of sleep loss due to pain are headaches, arthritis, back pain and other orthopedic issues, fibromyalgia, and other medical conditions. Medical conditions may also be associated with psychological distress which may contribute to poor inadequate sleep. These sleep problems, in turn, can further aggravate medical conditions.

If you are having trouble managing pain and sleep problems, it is important to talk with your physician. He or she may recommend a combination of treatments including medication, lifestyle changes, or other therapies, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, dietary changes or learning to control muscle tension or other body functions.

Block recommends that you include sleep in your discussion with your physician and suggests you keep a sleep diary for 2 to 3 weeks to record a complete description of your sleep experiences. She also notes that you may wish to speak to your physician about a referral to a sleep specialist, who can help with diagnosing and treating sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, which may be aggravating your pain or medical condition.

Block advises that practicing healthy sleep habits can help improve the quantity and quality of your sleep. The NSF (National Sleep Foundation), with whom Endeavor Therapy & Sleep Center is a Community Awareness Partner, promotes the following Sleep Hygiene Tips:

• Keep a regular time to go to sleep and awake
• Establish a relaxing bedtime routine
• Create a sleep-conducive environment
• Sleep on a mattress and pillows that are comfortable and supportive
• Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex
• Avoid heavy meals or feeling hungry before bed
• Exercise regularly, but finish at least a few hours before bedtime
• Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening
• Avoid nicotine
• If you need to take a nap, do so by mid-afternoon and for 15-30 minutes

For more information about sleep please call Endeavor Therapy & Sleep Center at262-241-8892 or visit our website at www.endeavortherapyandsleep.com. Endeavor Therapy & sleep Center is conveniently located at 11649 N. Port Washington Rd, in Mequon. We are opened 7 nights a week for our patients’ convenience and have the availability of a board certified sleep physician.