Many people suffering from fibromyalgia often suffer from sleep disorders as a result of their pain and discomfort. However, recent studies have shown that treating the sleep disorder can help to alleviate daytime fibromyalgia symptoms. How are sleep and fibromyalgia related? What can you do to help relieve your symptoms?

Sleep Disorders

A whopping 75% of those with fibromyalgia also suffer from sleep problems. The most common issue reported is tiredness immediately after waking. Insomnia, or not being able to sleep, is also very common in those with fibromyalgia. Overall, patients with fibromyalgia often have the following sleep issues:

• Lighter sleep
• Less time in deep stages of sleep, like REM sleep
• More time awake in between periods of sleep
• Insomnia
• Restless leg syndrome
• Sleep apnea
• Upper airway resistance syndrome (a special type of sleep apnea)

Improving Your Sleep

If you have fibromyalgia and struggle with sleep, there are many ways that you can try to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep. Some of the best ways to improve your slumber include:

• Determine how much you should be sleeping and only sleep that length of time
• Keep a journal next to your bed to record how long you slept, what time you went to bed and woke up, and the quality of your sleep
• Wake up at the same time every day
• Try different relaxation techniques like massage, deep breathing or listening to white noise
• Exercise earlier in the day to tire yourself out
• Don’t nap during the day
• Keep your bedroom temperature cool and comfortable
• Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol before heading to bed

Keep Your Patients and Your Practice Healthy

Vetters Enterprises specializes in practice management, revenue cycle optimization, and private practice business support. We can perform detailed assessments of your practice or facility and identify potential issues. Let us keep your business as healthy as you keep your patients! Give us a call at (443) 352-0088.