Subscribe to get Updates
Healthy Legacy
  • Home
  • Mind Memory Focus
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • Longevity & Anti Aging
  • Nutrition & Supplements
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Mind Memory Focus
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • Longevity & Anti Aging
  • Nutrition & Supplements
No Result
View All Result
Healthy Legacy
No Result
View All Result

How can I sleep with rheumatoid arthritis?

admin by admin
September 9, 2020
in Exercise & Fitness
0
How can I sleep with rheumatoid arthritis?
People with rheumatoid arthritis may find that pain or discomfort prevents them from falling asleep. Not sleeping well can have an impact on the severity of a person’s symptoms, as well as their general well-being. But there are some things that people can try that may help with sleep.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects more than 1.3 million Americans. Pain, discomfort, and the side effects of medication can make it harder for a person with RA to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults over 18 should get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep per night. Getting less than this on a regular basis can have an impact on a person’s health. Lack of sleep can make RA symptoms worse, and could lead to a flare-up of the disease. Fatigue can make the pain more difficult to manage.

RA and insomnia

RA can cause pain, which may cause stress or worry and prevent a person from getting to sleep. Some people may find that their symptoms cause them to wake during the night.

Some medications, such as prednisone and hydroxychloroquine, also have the side effect of causing sleeplessness. It is a good idea to take these drugs earlier in the day to reduce this effect.

Tips for dealing with insomnia

Tips to deal with insomnia include making lifestyle changes rather than taking medication. Ways to prevent or reduce insomnia include the following:

1. Exercising

Exercise can help a person sleep.

Gentle exercise is a meaningful way to reduce or improve RA symptoms. Exercise can also help a person to sleep and can improve mood and well-being.

The CDC recommend that a person does 2.5 hours of moderate exercise every week. However, people with RA should start slowly and build up the amount of activity they do according to their ability. It is better to do a small amount of exercise than nothing at all.

Walking, swimming, cycling, and stretching are all examples of exercise that will not put too much strain on the joints or the body.

Exercise can also help to keep joints flexible, which should improve the range of motion a person has in their joints. People should avoid activities that put too much pressure on the joints, for example twisting or jumping.

RA can also cause disability in the long-term and exercise can help to prevent or delay this.

2. Cutting out caffeine

Caffeine can stop people from falling asleep.

People with RA should avoid drinking caffeine late in the afternoon or evening if it is affecting their sleep.

It is possible to replace coffee or tea with decaffeinated versions or herbal teas. Watch out for hidden sources of caffeine, such as soda, energy drinks, and green tea.

3. Avoiding alcohol

Drinking alcohol in the evening can stop a person from falling asleep easily. It may also mean a person wakes during the night or does not sleep as deeply.

Drinking alcohol alongside some RA medications could also pose a health risk.

4. Trying not to nap

Some RA medication can cause drowsiness, and napping or falling asleep during the day can make it more difficult to sleep at night.

People should try to avoid taking a nap during the day for this reason. Getting some fresh air or doing stretching exercises can help a person feel less drowsy and avoid napping.

5. Relaxing

Living with RA can be stressful, and taking time to relax, particularly before trying to fall asleep, can help.

Try creating a bedtime routine that is the same every night. People may choose to read a book, light a candle, or play some quiet music.

Sometimes, when a person is trying to get to sleep, worries or concerns often intrude into their minds. Keeping a notepad or dictaphone by the bed to record these concerns can help keep them out of mind.

6. Practicing good sleep hygiene

Using good sleep hygiene practices can help a person get to sleep faster.

Sleep hygiene means adopting good habits for better sleep, including:

  • going to bed and getting up at the same time every day
  • making the bedroom a quiet, relaxing space
  • keeping the temperature cool in the bedroom
  • using a blackout blind to make sure the bedroom is dark enough to sleep
  • switching off electronic devices 30 minutes before getting into bed

Good sleep hygiene can help the body recognize when it is time for sleep. If a person is relaxed and has no distractions, they should be able to get to sleep faster.

7. Meditating

Research on mindfulness meditation suggests that it can help to treat insomnia.

Taking time to do a meditation exercise, such as focusing on breathing, can help to calm the mind and relax the body.

Meditating can make it easier to fall asleep, or help a person go back to sleep if they wake in the night.

8. Not overeating before bed

Going to sleep with a stomach that is too full can stop a person getting to sleep.

Try to eat at least a couple of hours before going to bed. Any snacks before trying to fall asleep should be light.

Takeaway

According to an article in the journal Rheumatoid Arthritis, people with RA who also have sleep problems tend to have a lower pain threshold. This, in turn, can cause more difficulty sleeping. It could be possible that lack of sleep affects the way that the brain deals with pain.

Sleep is essential to well-being. Sleep is particularly crucial for people with RA for lessening symptoms and helping them deal with pain or discomfort.

Tags: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Advertisement Banner
Previous Post

Blocking this protein may keep obesity, diabetes at bay

Next Post

One in three college freshmen worldwide reports mental health disorder

admin

admin

Next Post
One in three college freshmen worldwide reports mental health disorder

One in three college freshmen worldwide reports mental health disorder

Recommended

Many Americans Lack Knowledge, Not Desire, to Eat Plant-Based Diets

Many Americans Lack Knowledge, Not Desire, to Eat Plant-Based Diets

11 months ago
New Dietary Guidelines Ignore Sugar, Alcohol Recommendations

New Dietary Guidelines Ignore Sugar, Alcohol Recommendations

3 weeks ago

Don't Miss

What Are the Benefits of Eating Cantaloupe? 10 Benefits

What Are the Benefits of Eating Cantaloupe? 10 Benefits

January 22, 2021
How Would You Know If a Person Has Scurvy?

How Would You Know If a Person Has Scurvy?

January 22, 2021
AHA News: Trendy Microgreens Offer Flavor You Can Grow at Home

AHA News: Trendy Microgreens Offer Flavor You Can Grow at Home

January 13, 2021
AHA News: To Battle Food Inequity, a Nonprofit Helps Neighbors Eat Healthy

AHA News: To Battle Food Inequity, a Nonprofit Helps Neighbors Eat Healthy

January 7, 2021
Healthy Legacy

Follow us

Recent News

What Are the Benefits of Eating Cantaloupe? 10 Benefits

What Are the Benefits of Eating Cantaloupe? 10 Benefits

January 22, 2021
How Would You Know If a Person Has Scurvy?

How Would You Know If a Person Has Scurvy?

January 22, 2021

Categories

  • Beauty
  • disease
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • immunity
  • Longevity & Anti Aging
  • Mind Memory Focus
  • Nature
  • Nutrition & Supplements
  • Seniors
  • Spices
  • Uncategorized

Tags

Acid Reflux / GERD ADHD / ADD Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs Alzheimer's / Dementia Anxiety / Stress Bipolar Cancer / Oncology Cardiovascular / Cardiology Cholesterol Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine COPD Dentistry Depression Dermatology Diabetes Diabetes Type 2 Eating Disorders Eye Health / Blindness GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Heart Disease Immune System / Vaccines Men's Health Mental Health Multiple Sclerosis Neurology / Neuroscience Nutrition / Diet Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Osteoarthritis Osteoporosis Parkinson's Disease Pharmacy / Pharmacist Psychology / Psychiatry Respiratory Rheumatoid Arthritis Schizophrenia Seniors / Aging Sexual Health / STDs Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia Sports Medicine / Fitness Stroke Urinary Tract Infection Urology / Nephrology Vegan / Vegetarian Veterinary Women's Health / Gynecology
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2018 Healthy Legacy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Mind Memory Focus
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • Longevity & Anti Aging
  • Nutrition & Supplements

© 2018 Healthy Legacy