Obtaining great quality sleep can be difficult, but it is even harder for those with Crohn’s disease due to uncomfortable symptoms. A study done by researchers at Rush University in Chicago, revealed that the lack of restorative sleep can occur even when Crohn’s isn’t active and will have a ripple effect on life quality, gastrointestinal symptoms and the severity of the disease. It can even increase the risk of flare-ups. Other research on 3,173 people with inflammatory bowel disease, found that the people who had disrupted sleep had an increased risk of their disease reoccurring in six months.
Try these tips to counter the symptoms of Crohn’s disease and create a better quality of sleep for yourself.
If you have night sweats: try lightweight pajamas and consider taking a shower or bath right before bedtime to help make your drowsy.
If you have pain: try sleeping with a body pillow or consider taking a painkiller to improve sleep. Acetaminophen can ease the pain and it doesn’t cause digestive upsets. If your situation is severe, talk to your physician about taking a sleeping pill.
If you take steroids: they may relieve certain symptoms but leave you with poor
sleep, splitting the dosage between morning and evening may help. Add in a 15
minute nap during the day to make up for lost sleep.
If you eat a lot at night: note that your digestive tract works better in the morning so, try eating larger meals earlier in the day. Meals and large snacks eaten after 8pm will interrupt the quality of your sleep. If you experience nausea during the night, take a few bites of a cracker or bread to soothe your stomach.
If you get diarrhea: don’t eat right before bedtime. Try taking an anti-diarrhea medicine such as Imodium and make sure the bathroom is your last stop before bed.
If you have reflux: don’t be afraid to use over-the-counter medications or consult with your doctor about getting a prescription.
If you have anxiety: look into basic stress-management strategies such as meditation. There is no shame is seeing a therapist for advice and support if it is severe.
We at Gallery Furniture want to see you at your best. Acknowledging our health situations, and addressing them to make for a better tomorrow is key!
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