Insomnia Because Of Chronic Pain

Today's post from komonews.com (see link below) talks about a common problem for people living with neuropathy and that is disturbed sleep or even insomnia. It's a short but helpful article and points out that sleep problems thanks to neuropathy symptoms, should not be treated as a separate condition but be seen as part of the whole problem and treated as such.

Losing Sleep Over Chronic Pain
Published: Jan 20, 2014

Of the millions of Americans suffering from chronic pain, approximately 65% report having sleep disorders. Many people think the term insomnia refers to the inability to fall asleep. In fact, the term insomnia includes all sleeping problems, including awakening earlier than desired and difficulty staying asleep. And when it comes to medical conditions interfering with sleep, pain is the number one cause of insomnia. It’s a vicious cycle; your chronic pain keeps you awake at night, which in turn makes the pain harder to deal with during the day. 

Going to bed should be a relaxing time. You’re eliminating distractions and quieting your mind in order to prepare for the next day. This can pose problems for chronic pain sufferers; since the mind then focuses on the pain they’re experiencing. During the day, it’s usually easier to distract yourself from the pain by staying busy with day-to-day tasks. When trying to fall asleep, the focus on the pain can become so intense, the perception of pain can actually increase, making it even harder to get a good night’s sleep.

Chronic pain can also make it difficult to stay asleep. Sufferers, especially those with lower back pain, may experience several changes in sleep state, leading to awakenings throughout the night. This can cause “non-restorative sleep,” a light and restless sleep, which leaves the sufferer with less energy and fatigue, making it harder to deal with the pain during the day.

The problem of insomnia associated with chronic pain should not be treated as a separate condition. Because the two are intertwined, a comprehensive approach to treating both the pain and the lack of sleep is needed. There are several options available that take different approaches toward treating the pain. Sleep hygiene includes practicing behavioral techniques that can help improve sleep. A Psychological approach may include relaxation training or hypnosis. Sleep medications may also be prescribed to help the sufferer fall asleep.

If you suffer from insomnia associated with chronic pain, talk to your doctor about a comprehensive treatment plan. A specialist has the ability to recognize if the ailments are in fact related. The doctors at the Washington Center for Pain Management can help you take control of your chronic pain and get a good nights sleep.


1 “Chronic Pain and Insomnia, Breaking the Cycle.” Spine-Health.com. Web. Retrieved 15 Jan 2014 from http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/chronic-pain-and-insomnia-breaking-cycle

http://www.komonews.com/sponsored/chronic-pain/Losing-Sleep-Over-Chronic-Pain-241180111.html