Sleep Disorder Symptom Management in Naperville, IL
When Getting Good Sleep Becomes Hard Work
Getting a good night's sleep is a challenge for lots of people. For Kate's dad, sleeping well hasn't always been easy. He's always been prone to occasional nightmares, but nothing that he couldn't handle. But as he's getting older, his daughter Kate is hearing more and more about how Dad is thrashing in his sleep and waking up at all hours of the night. Kate is growing concerned about her dad's sleep patterns and wants to find a way to help. She's even more worried that this symptom is yet another sign of Parkinson's disease. When she finally gets Dad to see his Naperville, IL doctor, Kate is sure to ask about his sleep disorder symptoms.
Why Parkinson's and Sleep Go Together
The first thing that Kate learns when speaking with the doctor is that Parkinson's and sleep go hand in hand. Their connection is not fully understood, but many Parkinson's patients have difficulty sleeping, and this symptom is one of the earliest signs of the condition. Up to 2/3 of people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease report some kind of problem with getting enough rest.
Common Sleep Problems Connected to Parkinson's
When Kate first drove Dad to his doctor's appointment, she had assumed his sleep problems were akin to insomnia. After all, he was dealing with a lot of fatigue after not getting a proper night's rest. But after discussing Parkinson's with the doctor, Kate soon learned that the condition is connected with a wide range of sleep disorders. She now knows to look for signs of the following, in addition to insomnia and fatigue:
- Sleep apnea
- REM sleep behavior disorder
- Restless leg syndrome
- Inverted sleep cycles
- Waking up too early in the morning
Getting Good Sleep Is a Full-Time Job
Kate really wants to help Dad get the sleep he needs. She can't imagine him dealing with both Parkinson's and fatigue on a daily basis. As the doctor's appointment finishes up, Kate makes sure to ask about ways her dad can promote a better night's rest. He says her approach should be two-fold, taking certain measures during both the daytime and nighttime. She plans to try some of these ideas:
Strategies During the Day
Kate's dad has always been an early riser, so his first strategy to deal with lack of sleep is to set a consistent wake-up time at 7 a.m. He's also planning to limit naps and spend his waking hours out of bed. Other ways he's trying to improve his sleep during the day include:
- Avoiding caffeine after noon
- Reading all side effects of over-the-counter medicines and noting when they may affect sleep
- Avoiding alcohol after dinner
- Starting a daily morning exercise regimen
Strategies at Night
Now that Dad has his daytime routine squared away, Kate helps him decide on some nighttime strategies for getting good sleep. First, she encourages him to stop heading to bed early just to watch TV or read a book. Kate also helps him plan a nightly routine that involves a warm shower an hour before bedtime and a non-sugary snack. Dad is also open to trying the following approaches:
- Avoiding sleep medications that may worsen sleep apnea
- Keeping the bedroom temperature cool
- Removing any bright light sources and adding black-out curtains
- Eliminating noise and introducing white noise
- Understanding the difference between sleep and fatigue—and not forcing sleep when it isn't coming naturally
- Starting a personalized bedtime ritual that tells the body it's time to relax
Find the Support You Need at BrightStar Care
When Kate's mom first told her that Dad was having trouble sleeping and experiencing several other Parkinson's symptoms, she didn't want to believe it. Now, she knows she was right to investigate immediately and get the help Dad needed. Kate still acts as a family caregiver but calls Naperville's BrightStar Care whenever she needs a helping hand. Our team offers a range of services, including skilled nursing, companion care and transitional care. Contact us today to find out how we can help your family, too.
- Parkinson's Foundation
- Cleveland Clinic