People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often have trouble sleeping because of the pain caused by the disease. In fact, according to the Arthritis Foundation, around 80 percent of people with RA report that they experience fatigue. Unfortunately, a lack of sleep can lead to a vicious circle where sleep loss worsens symptoms and the worsened symptoms make it harder to sleep. If you’re a family caregiver for someone with RA, understanding how sleep affects RA symptoms and what you can do to help could allow the RA sufferer to feel better.
The Importance of Sleep
When a person doesn’t get enough sleep, it can raise the number of stress hormones in their body. This can lead to RA flares. Even when a lack of sleep doesn’t cause a flare, it can reduce the senior’s ability to handle their pain. During sleep, the brain makes certain chemicals that help the body feel better. But, if the senior isn’t sleeping, the brain doesn’t get the chance to produce the chemicals.
In addition to making pain worse, lack of sleep can also impact daily life in other ways. RA patients who have trouble sleeping are more likely to have depression. They can also have trouble doing normal daily activities.
Tips for Better Sleep with RA
Caregivers who are looking for ways to help their aging relatives with RA sleep better may want to try some of the following tips:
-Hot Shower: A hot shower can ease muscle tension and reduce joint pain.
-Use Ice: For some people, ice packs help to reduce pain. Try applying ice packs to painful joints shortly before bedtime.
-Set the Environment: Make sure the senior’s bedroom is comfortable and quiet to promote sleep. Close the blinds and eliminate unnecessary light. Make sure the room is the right temperature and free of distracting clutter. Discourage the older adult from watching television, checking their smartphone, or using a laptop in bed. The bedroom should be for sleeping only.
-Leg Elevation: Keeping the legs elevated by placing a pillow under the knees can relieve stress on joints.
-Lifestyle Changes: Eating well and exercising can also help older adults to sleep better at night. Exercise can help reduce pain and tire the senior out, so they sleep better.
Sometimes family caregivers cannot be with their aging relatives at night to help them get ready for bed. If that’s the case, caregivers can arrange for a home care provider to come to the senior’s house at night to help them. A home care provider can assist the senior to get safely in and out of the shower and change into their pajamas. They can also help with preparing and applying ice packs. If needed, the home care provider can even stay overnight to ensure the older adult remains safe if they need to get up during the night.
For more information about hiring Home Care Services in La Jolla CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Sources
https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/living-with/sleep-remedies/
https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/comorbidities/sleep-insomnia/rheumatoid-arthritis-sleep.php
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