Sleep deficiency can cause to a more chronic pain?

Sleep deficiency or lack of sleep can lead to more chronic pain. Many people around the country wake up some mornings feeling as though they didn’t get nearly enough sleep. Many of them truly haven’t. But what they may not realize is that if they are someone who suffers from chronic pain, it could be making their condition even worse. The more you learn about how important sleep is to help you manage chronic pain, the more you aim to get all you need each night.

Researchers recently published in the May 2017 issue of the journal Nature Medicine their findings on the effects that lack of sleep has on chronic pain (1). They measured the effect of sleep deficiency, both chronic and acute. As well as sleepiness, to see if it made people become more sensitive to pain. Their research also included testing standard pain medications, such as morphine, and agents that used to help keep people awake, such as caffeine. The research conducted using mice, with groups of them kept awake for various intervals. They then monitored their sleepiness and stress hormones, as well as testing for pain.

What their research found was that when someone had five days in a row of being sleep deprived, that deprivation can significantly exacerbate their pain sensitivity level. They also found that using something like ibuprofen does not tend to block the pain sensitivity that is created by sleep deprivation. They also tested the agents that promote staying awake, finding that these medications had better results than using standard pain medicines. When there is a decrease in alertness, due to sleep deficiency, then there is an increase in pain sensitivity.

In all, the researchers concluded that those with chronic pain should strive to get enough sleep every night. And when they can’t, take an agent that promotes wakefulness. It helps ease the increase of pain sensitivity caused by the lack of sleep. This offers a good tool for those who may need a reminder about the importance of getting enough sleep. And an option for those who may have difficulty from time to time.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an adult needs at least seven hours of sleep each night (2).

Getting proper sleep each night is easier when you have an established routine. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool, remove electronics from the room. Together with some exercise during the day. What you eat before going to bed, alcohol, and smoking can all have a negative impact on sleep. So, it’s important to keep that in mind.

Those suffering from chronic pain may want to focus on getting enough sleep each night. To avoid increasing pain sensitivity. Getting enough sleep helps you stay alerted to be in a better mood. Also, it can help with learning new things.

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