Neuropathy Symptoms Affecting Your Sleep in Vacaville

When you have neuropathy in Vacaville, you wouldn't think that insomnia would be a part of your problem. However, the compounding effects of neuropathy symptoms and sleep disturbances will make you want to address both problems head-on.

There are many ways that neuropathy can affect your sleep. For some people, the neuropathy symptoms, particularly those affecting the feet and legs, can make it difficult for them to have a sound sleep at night.

Unlike daytime distractions, patients are more focused on the pain at nighttime. Some have even reported that their perception of the pain increases when they're trying to sleep. In fact, their sleep disturbances can even aggravate their neuropathy symptoms. When they're sleep-deprived, their pain threshold decreases which makes their neuropathic pain really worse.

People who are sleep deprived are more vulnerable to depression and other mood disorders, decrease in physical activity, changes in eating, an overall decline in health. If paired with neuropathy, this makes things a vicious cycle.

How to get more rest in Vacaville

The good news is, there are things that you can do to stop the cycle. You can start by monitoring your neuropathy symptoms and sleep patterns. After that, make healthy changes to your daytime habits and bedtime routine, including the following:

• Maintain a regular sleep/wake schedule.
• Limit or avoid caffeine 4 to 6 hours before bed and minimize daytime use.
• Start a bedtime routine, such as reading light material or taking a warm bath.
• Don't drink alcohol or eat heavy meals before going to bed.
• Avoid smoking, especially before bedtime or when you wake up in the middle of the night.
• Stay away from your TV, iPad, smartphone, and computer a few hours before going to bed.

There are also relaxation techniques that you can adopt to help induce sleep. These include:

• Meditating
• Allot some extra time before going to bed to help relax and unwind. Perhaps use this time to write down worries and plans for the next day.
• Do some deep breathing exercises.

Lastly, set up a comfortable sleeping environment. Here are a few examples:

• Make your bed and pillows really comfortable.
• Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and well-ventilated.
• Elevate your bedsheets to prevent them from touching your legs and feet.

Get help from your doctor to address sleep disturbances

If your sleep problems continue to persist and interrupt your daily functions, that would be the time to consult with your doctor. Describe your sleep symptoms, their effects on your daily activities and neuropathy, and medication history. There's a probability that your prescription medications and other herbal remedies affect your quality of sleep.

Depressed mood, poor sleep, and anxiety can further complicate both you and your doctor's efforts in managing neuropathic pain. The key thing is that you recognize this and have constant communication with your doctor so that you can receive the right treatments and approaches that will work best for you.