Arthritis and sleep problems can be a vicious cycle. Your arthritic joints can prevent you from falling asleep, and your lack of sleep can worsen your arthritis. A study in the February 2011 issue of Arthritis Care and Research found that people with arthritis were significantly more likely than non-arthritic patients to report sleep problems. If you have arthritis and cant sleep, its easy to blame it solely on your pain. But other factors-many of which you can control-also can contribute to sleep disturbances. We know that a lot of pain conditions are not going to do well if you dont get enough sleep, says Jessica Vensel-Rundo, MD, a sleep neurologist with Cleveland Clinics Sleep Disorders Center. About 90 percent of patients with insomnia have some kind of coexisting condition, whether its a pain-related issue or some other kind of medical problem. Its important to address all of these issues.
To continue reading this article or issue you must be a paid subscriber.
Sign in
