Is arthritis pain and stiffness keeping you up at night? When you’re struggling with fatigue, the last thing you need to do is toss and turn your way into sleep deprivation.
It’s estimated that around 50 per cent of individuals with arthritis have trouble sleeping. Coupled with fatigue caused by inflammation, lack of sleep can impact a person’s ability to function in daily life.
“You might have a big day ahead of you and that can fall apart if you don’t get enough sleep,” said Eileen Davidson, a member of Arthritis Research Canada’s Patient Advisory Board. “It’s not you that’s flaky. It’s your health that flakes out. It happens with chronic pain and chronic illness.”
But even though it happens, there are ways to increase the chance of a good night’s sleep – especially during the summer months when heat can lead to swelling and further discomfort.