Controlling Chronic Pain & Improving Sleep
Whether you’re dealing with low back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines or anything in between, chronic pain can rob you of a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep can make you feel tired and more sensitive to pain. This is only one reason why managing your sleeping habits are so important.
If chronic pain is causing you to lose sleep, it’s time to find a pain management clinic in Asheville to help. There are a variety of treatments available to ease your pain while improving sleep.
How Pain affects Sleep
Chronic pain not only makes it harder to fall asleep, but it can also interrupt sleep throughout the night. According to the National Sleep Foundation, an average of 42 minutes of sleep is lost each night due to chronic pain in patients.
While sleep is very important for everyone, it’s even more critical for chronic pain sufferers. Ongoing pain tends to trigger poor sleep. For example, someone with chronic neck pain may experience trouble getting into the deep sleep stage of the sleep cycle. This, in turn, results in waking up more often. These two coexisting issues can heighten each other.
The Importance of Sleep
Sleep is an essential part of our overall health. Sleep is about more than just rest; it allows our bodies to heal and is especially important for the recovery of our heart and blood vessels. Chronic sleep loss is linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and even strokes.
Poor sleep quality also plays a factor in the following:
Brain function: You may experience a hard time with decision making, learning, holding attention and more
Emotions: You may experience a lack of control over your emotions
Immune system: Lack of sleep can lead to being more susceptible to illness
Practice Good Sleep Techniques
We understand how frustrating it can be to deal with lack of sleep day in and day out. There are certain habits and nighttime routines you can use to get adequate rest. Here are some simple tips for patients with chronic pain to improve sleep quality:
Stop or limit caffeine intake
Limit alcohol—especially in the evening hours
Practice relaxation techniques
Keep a consistent sleep schedule
Skip the nap
Stay active during the day
Avoid bright lights at night—dim the lights and turn off any electronic devices
Take all medication only as directed by your pain management doctor
Pain Management Clinics in Asheville NC
We strive to improve your overall quality of life by listening to you, creating custom treatment plans and educating you as we learn more about your condition. The doctors at our pain management clinics in Asheville are committed to your sustained relief from chronic pain.
Get in touch with us by calling 828-483-4438
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