October 3, 2008, Newsletter Issue #191: Pain During Sleep

Tip of the Week

When people can't go to sleep because of pain issues, these are the usual reasons why:

- Back pain
- Headaches
- Facial pain, usually in and around the ears and jaw (called temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)
- Muscoloskeletal pain, which includes arthritis and fibromyalgia
- In women, abdominal pain and premenstrual cramping
- Pain from cancer, the disease itself and its treatment

Some tips for people with chronic pain, courtesy of the National Sleep Foundation:

- Stop caffeine consumption.
- Limit alcohol intake, with no alcohol in the evening.
- Avoid vigorous exercise. However, light exercise in the afternoon can be helpful.
- Take a brief nap in the afternoon, no more that 10 to 20 minutes.
- Use of pain killers and/or sleeping pills are effective, but should be used under the supervision of a physician.
- Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep abdominal breathing.

When to seek help:
It is time to seek professional help when pain causes sleep problems two to three times a night, and you are unable to go to sleep again. There are a variety of treatments available to ease the sleep problems of chronic pain sufferers, including medication and physical therapy. Doctors may also recommend seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist.

About LifeTips

Now one of the top on-line publishers in the world, LifeTips offers tips to millions of monthly visitors. Our mission mission is to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Expert writers earn dough for what they know. And exclusive sponsors in each niche topic help us make-it-all happen.