Sleeping regularly and adequately is indispensable for quality of life. Getting a good night’s sleep contributes to feeling rested and refreshed, but so much more happens during sleep. Sleep rejuvenates the cardiovascular and immune systems and regulates the production of the body’s hormones such as leptin and ghrelin. These two hormones control appetite, and when out of balance they can contribute to overeating and eventually obesity.
Professionals recommend adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep each day. But according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 35% of adults get less than seven hours of sleep per day. For people with diabetes and other chronic diseases, lack of sleep can complicate efforts to manage their disease properly.
A Complicating Factor
There really isn’t an upside to not getting enough sleep. Poor sleep can increase a person’s risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression. For those already dealing with chronic disease, poor sleep may be one of their symptoms. A variety of medical conditions can contribute to poor sleep, such as sleep apnea, gastrointestinal reflux disease, chronic insomnia, and restless leg syndrome. Identifying these conditions and suggesting a referral to the proper medical practitioner is often critical in helping patients make strides toward disease-specific self-management goals.
Unfortunately, poor sleep also can have a direct impact on a patient’s ability to manage their condition. Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease need to be mindful of changes in body functions, such as blood glucose levels or weight gain. They need to follow specific dietary measures and take prescribed medications diligently. The loss of focus, memory lapses, lack of energy, and depressed mood sometimes caused by inadequate sleep can prevent patients from engaging in self-care behaviors that control symptoms and prevent further complications.
Getting it Right
There is hope. Allied health professionals can do a lot to help promote a good’s night sleep for their patients by:
- Asking about your patients’ sleep habits.
- Inquiring about other conditions or co-morbidities that may be contributing to poor sleep, I.e., frequent hypoglycemia, GERD, or sleep apnea.
- Promoting good sleep hygiene and practices, such as:
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed
- Turning off electronic devices at least an hour before bed
- Keeping the bedroom cool
- Going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day
Each of Silver Fern’s chronic disease programs includes a Poor Sleep assessment module to help chronic care teams and providers to assess the impact that sleep may have on their overall condition and their ability to properly manage their disease. The module also provides the clinical user with suggested actions and clinical referrals that align with the patient’s individual responses.
Adequate sleep is essential for everyone, but it can make a real difference in the lives of those living with chronic diseases.