When Aches & Pain Disrupt Sleep
When Aches & Pain Disrupt Sleep
It's a vicious cycle -- pain keeps you awake, and sleeplessness makes pain worse.
Cowan says pain can "throw your whole life out of whack." It's not just the feeling of pain that's the problem -- for instance, chronic back pain is more than just a pain in the back. Over time, it can spill over and affect every single aspect of your life. It can overwhelm you.
So don't assume that pain and insomnia will resolve on their own. Instead, get help from your health care provider. Unfortunately, many people don't.
"Patients often don't mention sleep problems to their doctor," says Roth. "They see insomnia as a moral failing, something that they should fix on their own. But that's not the case."
Cowan also cautions people not to become fixated on a single cure. "A lot of people get stuck on the idea that one pill or one more surgery will resolve their pain," says Cowan. But she says people need to look at the bigger picture.
"There's no magic bullet that can ease everyone's pain and put them to sleep," she tells WebMD. "But with the help of your doctor, you can find a treatment plan that will help."
When Aches & Pain Disrupt Sleep
It's a vicious cycle -- pain keeps you awake, and sleeplessness makes pain worse.
Taking Action continued...
Cowan says pain can "throw your whole life out of whack." It's not just the feeling of pain that's the problem -- for instance, chronic back pain is more than just a pain in the back. Over time, it can spill over and affect every single aspect of your life. It can overwhelm you.
So don't assume that pain and insomnia will resolve on their own. Instead, get help from your health care provider. Unfortunately, many people don't.
"Patients often don't mention sleep problems to their doctor," says Roth. "They see insomnia as a moral failing, something that they should fix on their own. But that's not the case."
Cowan also cautions people not to become fixated on a single cure. "A lot of people get stuck on the idea that one pill or one more surgery will resolve their pain," says Cowan. But she says people need to look at the bigger picture.
"There's no magic bullet that can ease everyone's pain and put them to sleep," she tells WebMD. "But with the help of your doctor, you can find a treatment plan that will help."
