Neuropathy And Insomnia

Today's post is another excellent piece of information from drmarcspitz.com (see link below) and talks about something many people with severe neuropathy are familiar with and that is insomnia or trouble with sleeping. We all know that a lack of a good night's rest thanks to pain has a knock-on effect during the day and over time can seriously reduce the quality of life. Even if you take medication to help you sleep, sometimes the nerve pain just breaks through. It may be wise to consult your doctor, emphasising the reason behind your sleepless nights.

Neuropathy Foot Pain Can Cause Insomnia
Dr. Marc Spitz: Thursday, April 26th, 2012 

People with peripheral neuropathy experience a wide variety of symptoms including pain, numbness, burning and “pins and needle sensations.” Neuropathy which is caused by nerve damage, primarily affects the feet. Neuropathy symptoms can have an adverse affect on one’s quality of life, affecting sleep, diet and emotional well-being. Neuropathy foot pain can make it extremely difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. The abnormal sensations associated with neuropathy along with heightened sensitivity to blankets or the bed sheets may contribute to sleep disturbances. During the day, people are often distracted from neuropathic pain. Daytime activities such as work, computer, hobbies such as gardening can help desensitize people from their pain. During the evening hours leading to bedtime, many people with peripheral neuropathy can find themselves focusing more on the pain. As a result many people report that their perception of the pain actually increases when attempting to fall asleep and this delays falling asleep.

 

Sleep deprivation can have a profound negative impact on one’s life
People who suffer from insomnia can be prone to emotional problems such as depression or anxiety. It’s easy to understand how insomnia might be linked to depression and anxiety. “Chronic sleep loss can lead to a loss of pleasure in life, one of the hallmarks of depression,” explains Stanford University research psychologist Tracy Kuo, PhD. “When people can’t sleep, they often become anxious about not sleeping. Anxiety increases the potential for becoming depressed.”Indeed, recent findings show that insomnia often shows up before a bout of depression strikes, serving as a useful warning sign. A worsening of insomnia can also signal depression.

 

Tips on getting a good night’s sleep

Often times, changing the habits that are reinforcing sleeplessness is enough to overcome the insomnia altogether. It may take a few days for your body to get used to the change, but once you do, you will sleep better.

 

Habits that make insomnia worse:

• drinking a lot of caffeine
• drinking or smoking before bed
• taking naps during the day
• an irregular sleep schedule

Adopting new habits to help you sleep

• Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool. Noise, light, and heat can interfere with sleep. Try using a sound machine or earplugs to mask outside noise, an open window or fan to keep the room cool, and blackout curtains or an eye mask to block out light.
• Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Support your biological clock by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, including weekends. Get up at your usual time in the morning even if you’re tired. This will help you get back in a regular sleep rhythm.
• Avoid naps. Napping during the day can make it more difficult to sleep at night. If you feel like you have to take a nap, limit it to 30 minutes before 3 p.m.
• Avoid stimulating activity and stressful situations before bedtime. This includes vigorous exercise; big discussions or arguments; and TV, computer, or video game use.
• Limit caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Stop drinking caffeinated beverages at least 8 hours before bed. Avoid drinking in the evening. While alcohol can make you feel sleepy, it interferes with the quality of your sleep. Quit smoking or avoid it at night, as nicotine is a stimulant.

Seeking Your Doctor’s Help to Address Sleep Disturbances
If sleep problems persist and interfere with your ability to function, it may be time to consult your doctor. You will want to describe your sleep symptoms; effects of sleep symptoms on your daily activities and neuropathy; medication history (because many prescription medications can also affect the quality of your sleep, including some herbal remedies). Your health care practitioner may recommend over-the-counter medications such as Advil PM or Tylenol PM. In severe instances where insomnia affects the quality of life, he or she may prescribe sleep medications such as Ambien® or other sedative hypnotics. This class can be helpful in treating insomnia however there are a number of side effects including dependency.

http://drmarcspitz.com/blog/2012/04/26/neuropathy-foot-pain-can-cause-insomnia/