Prednisone is a strong corticosteroid used to treat
conditions that run from autoimmune diseases to chronic inflammation. While
effective, it scatters your sleep pattern and instigates insomnia
debilitatingly in its assault on one's quality of life. Learn various ways to
manage and strategies to overcome insomnia caused by Prednisone with this
comprehensive guide. It describes, during the treatment process, the most
common complaints of poor sleeping and provides useful tips to help with
improving sleep.
Understanding Prednisone-Induced Insomnia
Prednisone and Sleep
It works by reducing inflammation and autoimmunity, hence
giving rise to a myriad of side effects, one of which is disturbance of sleep
or insomnia. This medication tends to over-activate the central nervous system;
therefore, one becomes alert and energized. It may also interfere with the
circadian rhythm of the body, thus setting an individual up for insomnia due to
the inability to fall asleep and maintain such sleep.
Sleep Disturbance Contributory Factors
There are many variables that can further worsen
prednisone-induced insomnia:
Dosage: The more the dosage, the greater the sleep
disturbance.
Timing: It is also a known fact that when given later in the
day, prednisone can disturb the ability to sleep.
Duration: The longer the period with prednisone, the greater
the possibility of disturbed sleep.
Prednisone-Induced Insomnia: Strategies to Overcome
Timing of Medication
The best management strategy for the insomnia caused by the
drug is an adjustment in the timing of intake of the medication. This is
usually in the morning when cortisol levels in the body are highest, therefore
disturbances in the sleep pattern will be minimal. You may want to consider dose
splitting or taking your dose at a different time of the day, provided you are
at a high enough dosage or take it often enough for your condition.
Stick to a Sleep Schedule
Consistency in the sleep pattern will be crucial to help get
rid of insomnia. Sleeping and waking up at the same time will make your body's
internal clock work with you and, thus not make getting up every morning a
chore. You should be sleeping 7-9 hours a night and begin the presleep
preparation that tells the body that sleep time is near. It can be as basic as
turning on the light and reading a book or listening to some music or even
doing some exercises.
Create a Conducive Sleep Environment
Optimize the setting for better sleep: Keep your bedroom
cool, dark, and quiet. Blackout curtains shut out light completely; earplugs or
a white noise machine drowns out disrupting sounds; invest in comfortable
mattresses and pillows. Proper ambiance helps trigger your body that it's sleep
time and will find ease with good sleep the whole night.
Avoid Stimulants and Heavy Meals
Such stimulants as caffeine and nicotine disrupt your sleep.
Avoid taking such elements a few hours before going to bed. A similar scenario
is when you take heavy or spicy food at night. That too keeps you in discomfort
and it results in disturbed sleep. Try finishing the food 2-3 hours prior to
retiring to bed, and in case you feel hungry before bedtime, then opt for light
snacks which are easily digestible.
Include Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques hold the overall ability in reducing
one's stress levels as well as preparing one's body to sleep. Other variety
relaxation techniques may cover the following; Deep breathing Relaxation of
muscles Meditation Yoga Preferred coping is a process in which one has to
inhale and exhale slowly and deeply while focusing on the process of
relaxation.
Regular Exercise
Regular exercises can help get good sleep and may form part
of the management of insomnia. Exercises release chemicals, called endorphins,
which raise your mood and reduce stress. It is recommended to engage in at
least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, on a daily basis weekdays and
weekends. But it is advisable to have an early ending of your exercising a
couple of hours to your bed time so as to allow your body cool down and get
ready for the night.
Stress and Anxiety Management
For many people, stress and anxiety worsen insomnia.
Therefore, proper inclusion of any hobby, spending time with family and
friends, or professional help when needed will be highly helpful for releasing
stress. In this regard, cognitive-behavioral therapy, as well as other
therapies, may also be important with respect to stress and anxiety management
in order to improve the quality of sleeping.
Watch and Adjust Your Diet
Your diet also affects the way you sleep. Supplement your
diet with sleep-enhancing foods like foods rich in tryptophan, these
include turkey, nuts, seeds, etc, as well as complex carbohydrates such as whole
grain foods and vegetables. Such types of foods enhance the level of serotonin
which is a neural transmitter that leads to sleep. Furthermore, do not drink
too much alcohol because it interferes with your sleep pattern, making you
experience fragmented sleep.
Resort to Sleeping Aids Judiciously
Over-the-counter sleep aids will, of course, be useful for
temporarily alleviating insomnia but are best approached judiciously and only in
discussion with a health professional. Such sleeping aids might interact with
prednisone or become addictive if resorted to for too long. Fortunately, they
used their sleeping aid on a temporary basis until other methods to ensure
quality sleep were being pursued.
Seek Professional Help
Chronic insomnia, therefore, deserves professional help when
it does not go away and all alternative ways to manage it have been tried. A
sleep specialist, or for that matter, one's own health provider, will further
investigate the individual's circumstance and provide specific suggestions,
considering alternative therapies or adjusting medication.
Conclusion
Insomnia due to the intake of prednisone is treated on three
fronts: modification of medication, lifestyle modification, and stress-burying
techniques. Practice these, and in the process, consult where need be to find
ways to improve your sleep on this drug. New remedies or a major change in
treatment plans should first be consulted with your health professional to see
whether they can meet your particular health needs. Given the proper strategies
and support, you can defeat insomnia and sleep better at night.
Please book an appointment with the Best General Physician in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.
