COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Getting to Sleep With COPD
Don't let COPD keep you from getting the rest you need.
By Krisha McCoy, MS
If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you know that getting a good night's sleep can be difficult. This can be a significant problem, since sleep is especially important when you are dealing with an illness like COPD. Sleep allows your body to repair itself, and not getting enough rest can weaken your immune system.
COPD: Common Causes of Sleep Problems
"What COPD patients have to do is find out the reason that they are not sleeping," says Jane Whalen-Price, PT, director of rehabilitation services at National Jewish Health in Denver. "Do they cough? Do they snore? Do they gasp? Is it the reflux that is bothering them?"
Some factors that may interfere with sleep in COPD patients include:
Sleep position: Since people with COPD may find breathing more difficult when they are lying down, they often sleep in an upright position. But sitting up makes it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. Medications: Some of the medications used to treat COPD can keep you up. Others cause you to make frequent trips to the bathroom, interrupting your sleep. Mental health: People who have COPD are at increased risk of emotional problems, such as depression and anxiety, which often lead to sleep problems. Sleep-related breathing changes: When you go to sleep, your breathing slows and your respiratory system becomes less responsive to stimuli. This is not usually a problem for healthy people, but it can cause sleep disturbances in people who have COPD. Sleep apnea: About 10 to 15 percent of people who have COPD also have sleep apnea, which is when your breathing is interrupted during sleep. Sleep apnea can result in loud snoring, frequent awakenings, and severe sleepiness in the daytime. Acid reflux: It is estimated that more than half of COPD patients with advanced disease have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The acid reflux in GERD can lead to heartburn and other symptoms, causing you to wake up often at night and sleep restlessly. COPD: 5 Tips for Better Sleep
There are a number of steps you can take to help you get a good night's sleep if you have COPD. They include:
Adjust COPD medications: After assessing your symptoms and sleeping complaints, your doctor may be able to adjust your medications so that you will sleep better. For instance, when you are getting the optimal dosage of bronchodilator therapy, you will be able to breathe easier at night while you sleep. Never make changes to your medications without first consulting your doctor. Add oxygen therapy: Nighttime oxygen treatment can sometimes make it easier for you to sleep. Treat underlying infections: If you have an underlying problem, such as a respiratory infection, that is making it difficult for you to sleep, getting treatment can improve your rest. Try sleep medications: Your doctor may prescribe a sleep medication that will help you sleep better. If you have COPD, always consult your doctor first before taking a sleep medication. Practice airway clearance techniques: Your doctor or respiratory therapist can teach you airway clearance techniques that may help you sleep better. General Tips for Better Sleep
Regardless of your COPD status, here are some tips that may also help you get a good night's sleep.
Reserve your bed for sleeping and sex only. Avoid watching TV, reading, or just lying awake in your bed. Get out of bed if you are not able to fall asleep within 20 minutes. Do something relaxing until you feel sleepy enough to go to sleep. Avoid napping so that you will be sleepy at bedtime. Get regular exercise, but not in the two hours before bedtime. Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool. Don't drink caffeine in the five hours before you go to bed. Keep a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking around the same time each day. By being aware of the common causes of sleep disturbances in COPD patients, you can arm yourself with strategies for getting a better night's rest. A good night's sleep can help your body get stronger and be better able to fight the symptoms of COPD. http://www.everydayhealth.com/copd/sleep-and-copd.aspx
Don't let COPD keep you from getting the rest you need.
By Krisha McCoy, MS
If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you know that getting a good night's sleep can be difficult. This can be a significant problem, since sleep is especially important when you are dealing with an illness like COPD. Sleep allows your body to repair itself, and not getting enough rest can weaken your immune system.
COPD: Common Causes of Sleep Problems
"What COPD patients have to do is find out the reason that they are not sleeping," says Jane Whalen-Price, PT, director of rehabilitation services at National Jewish Health in Denver. "Do they cough? Do they snore? Do they gasp? Is it the reflux that is bothering them?"
Some factors that may interfere with sleep in COPD patients include:
Sleep position: Since people with COPD may find breathing more difficult when they are lying down, they often sleep in an upright position. But sitting up makes it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. Medications: Some of the medications used to treat COPD can keep you up. Others cause you to make frequent trips to the bathroom, interrupting your sleep. Mental health: People who have COPD are at increased risk of emotional problems, such as depression and anxiety, which often lead to sleep problems. Sleep-related breathing changes: When you go to sleep, your breathing slows and your respiratory system becomes less responsive to stimuli. This is not usually a problem for healthy people, but it can cause sleep disturbances in people who have COPD. Sleep apnea: About 10 to 15 percent of people who have COPD also have sleep apnea, which is when your breathing is interrupted during sleep. Sleep apnea can result in loud snoring, frequent awakenings, and severe sleepiness in the daytime. Acid reflux: It is estimated that more than half of COPD patients with advanced disease have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The acid reflux in GERD can lead to heartburn and other symptoms, causing you to wake up often at night and sleep restlessly. COPD: 5 Tips for Better Sleep
There are a number of steps you can take to help you get a good night's sleep if you have COPD. They include:
Adjust COPD medications: After assessing your symptoms and sleeping complaints, your doctor may be able to adjust your medications so that you will sleep better. For instance, when you are getting the optimal dosage of bronchodilator therapy, you will be able to breathe easier at night while you sleep. Never make changes to your medications without first consulting your doctor. Add oxygen therapy: Nighttime oxygen treatment can sometimes make it easier for you to sleep. Treat underlying infections: If you have an underlying problem, such as a respiratory infection, that is making it difficult for you to sleep, getting treatment can improve your rest. Try sleep medications: Your doctor may prescribe a sleep medication that will help you sleep better. If you have COPD, always consult your doctor first before taking a sleep medication. Practice airway clearance techniques: Your doctor or respiratory therapist can teach you airway clearance techniques that may help you sleep better. General Tips for Better Sleep
Regardless of your COPD status, here are some tips that may also help you get a good night's sleep.
Reserve your bed for sleeping and sex only. Avoid watching TV, reading, or just lying awake in your bed. Get out of bed if you are not able to fall asleep within 20 minutes. Do something relaxing until you feel sleepy enough to go to sleep. Avoid napping so that you will be sleepy at bedtime. Get regular exercise, but not in the two hours before bedtime. Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool. Don't drink caffeine in the five hours before you go to bed. Keep a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking around the same time each day. By being aware of the common causes of sleep disturbances in COPD patients, you can arm yourself with strategies for getting a better night's rest. A good night's sleep can help your body get stronger and be better able to fight the symptoms of COPD. http://www.everydayhealth.com/copd/sleep-and-copd.aspx
her. LOL
Re disturbed sleep because of muscle spasms / cramp - I found personally that formeterol causes this - (my dose was 1 in the morning and one in the evening). Of course not everyone will experience muscle spasm from formeterol.
When I spoke with my respiratory consultant she advised me to either take the evening dose before 7pm or to stop the evening dose - I found that stopping the evening dose for me did the trick - I know longer get cramp. HOWEVER .... everyone should always consult with their doc before reducing or stopping any medication as in doing so without professional consultation and guidance may seriously damage your health and affect your ability to breathe.
I have complete PFT's and an ABG on Thursday but I probably won't get the results til I see my pulmo in July. I ran out of Symbicort and my GP gives me samples,, but he doesn't have any right now, so all I have is Albuterol and Spiriva. I do have Advair but if I take it and Spiriva I get horrible leg and foot cramps at nite,,, which doesn't happen with Symbicort and they both seem to work the same for me. Wow,,, didn't mean to write a book.
Hugs to all,,,Jan
I read an article not too long ago that recommends not looking at a computer screen for long periods of time before bed. The theory being that it tricks your brain into thinking it is still "daylight" so it takes longer to get to sleep. I read a very boring book when I get in bed. Find its relaxing and usually puts me right to sleep!
I noticed no one mentioned low potassium which can be a big cause of leg and muscle cramping - might be something to keep in mind.
Hugs,
Joni
I already have an appointment to get mine checked out. I was a bit low in the hospital and that might be the problem again.
well, now it all makes sense, I've been averaging oh, 3 hours a night here lately. Called my pdoc, he is gonna try to work me in to do an evaluation.
My tv in my room is broke and what sex? OH that!
misspell (Jona=Joni)
LOL
After reading I find that I am normal.....I didn't know so many of you have simular things going on as I do.
So I made it to the right club for sure!
I wake up most nights with that awful cotton mouth. I have water and sometimes other liquids next to my bed to help me drink something when I do wake up.
I thought it was maybe from the stop breathing throey they said with my sleep study? Of course I don't know much anyway? Just hate that cotton taste.
The next thing I get way even before I knew I had copd....so I don't know if it isn't like were missing something in our body? I know while in the hospital I was low on passsum. Boy those leg and foot cramps can be so bad. I get them wearing certain shoes too.
I got to eat more bananas for sure.
I also want a weged thing for my pillows...I'm on 3 wish I had more. I can't breath sometimes and seem to breath better when I can raise my head up? My husband read something on CPaP about it and I don't know what all I know he wants one too? who knew yeah.
So what now I can't sleep? I woke up because of breathing, yet I think I was a bit better then when I went to sleep....hurray I can breath.
I don't know why some nights I can't sleep thru and others I can.
I do watch TV but my husband head is usually in the way LOL...but it is like a lullaby for me.....And he sets the timer. I just fall off to sleep and never know when the TV went off.
Yet there are the nights I just can't get off to sleep....I am going to ask my doctor for something for sleep. Maybe I will sleep then?
Well I don't know if it is because I don't work and not as tired when I was working.....so my brain isn't tired enough to sleep or stay asleep.
I think I will just let this go.......
Thank you Joni for this subject once again I think you pin point a lot of good with what you wrote....thank you
Ruthie