Improving Sleep When You Have Chronic Pain
If you have
chronic pain, such as with fibromyalgia or complex regional pain syndrome, you may have a hard time sleeping or you may wake up feeling tired and
unrefreshed. Some experts believe poor sleep can make pain worse.
Getting a good night's sleep may help.
- Practice good sleeping habits. Go to bed only
when you are sleepy, and get up at the same time each day, whether you are
rested or not.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine for 4 to 6
hours or longer before bedtime. These can lead to poor sleep.
- Try
to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
- Do not read,
eat, work, or watch television in bed. Use your bed only for sleeping and
sex.
- Keep your bedroom at a comfortable
temperature.
- Make sure your mattress provides good support. Use a
neck support pillow to stabilize your head and neck during
sleep.
- Eliminate or block out all sound and light that may disturb
your sleep. Try using a sleep mask and earplugs to help you
sleep.
- If you lie awake in bed for longer than 15 minutes, get up,
leave the bedroom, and do something quiet (read or listen to music) until you
are sleepy again.
|
By
| Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
| Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
| Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
|
Last Revised
| January 9, 2013 |
Last Revised:
January 9, 2013