People with arthritis can experience sleep disturbances. Pain-related insomnia is a big problem for people with arthritis. Up to 80 percent of people will have trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep, and that’s true for people with osteoarthritis or other types of arthritis.
The reason people with arthritis are more likely to have sleep problems may be due to a number of issues. Levels of cortisol, a hormone that helps control inflammation, are lower at night. Lying down can cause inflammatory chemicals to build up in the fluid that cushions your joints, causing them to stiffen. And your perception of pain may be heightened at night because you’re not distracted by anything else.
How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Arthritis?
Pain-related insomnia is normal and common, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept it. You have to find a method that works for you to help you rest. Here are some ways that can help you sleep better:
1. Use a thin pillow
Sleep problems are really difficult if you have osteoarthritis in your neck. The trick is to keep your neck as straight as possible when you sleep so that it doesn’t strain. To keep your neck straight, sleep with the thinnest pillow you can.
2. Get creative with your pillows
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, put a wedge pillow behind your shoulders, a tube pillow under your knees, and then prop each arm up on a firm pillow on the bed. Once everything is in place, you can fall asleep and sleep for at least a few hours. ”
3. Keep your room cool
Temperature has been shown to be beneficial for keeping joints flexible and less painful, but sleeping hot often means restless sleep. Focus on cooling your bedroom by opening the windows or turning the air conditioning up to maximum for a good night’s sleep.
4. Take a hot bath
Soaking in warm water can have the dual effect of loosening up sore joints and reducing tension, making it the perfect pre-bedtime ritual.
5. Sleep with compression gloves
If your hands are a major pain point, especially at the end of the day, sleeping with these gloves can make a huge difference. They reduce throbbing and keep my fingers flexible and supported throughout the night.
