Chronic Diseases and Sleep: The Importance of Restful Nights

While heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are all associated with sleep disturbances, arthritis is not.

Approximately 60-70% of people with chronic diseases experience sleep disturbances.

Narcolepsy is not a common sleep disturbance experienced by people with chronic diseases.

Sleep disturbances can increase the risk of complications, reduce the effectiveness of medications, and worsen symptoms of chronic diseases.

Adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

Napping during the day can interfere with nighttime sleep.

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep.

Loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness are all common symptoms of sleep apnea.

Restless legs syndrome is the uncontrollable urge to move your legs while trying to sleep.

Excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, and sleep paralysis are all common symptoms of narcolepsy.

Cataplexy is the sudden loss of muscle tone while awake.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, and light therapy are all common treatments for insomnia.

CPAP therapy is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to treat sleep apnea.

Iron therapy, dopamine agonists, and anticonvulsants are all common treatments for restless legs syndrome.

Stimulant therapy is the use of stimulants to treat narcolepsy.