Sleeping better with COPD-Lovego Weekly Report

Weekly Report

Sleeping better with COPD 

Having COPD comes with various signs and symptoms, and one of the most common is being unable to get a good night’s sleep. The lack of oxygen you may experience while lying down results in sleep impairment, causing you to wake up struggling for air and being unable to go back to sleep. This lack of quality sleep can also lead to being more fatigued the next day, a weaker immune system, and being unable to maintain proper weight.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to sleep better despite having COPD. In this article, we’ve rounded up a number of ways that can help you get a good night’s sleep and keep your health in better shape.

Check your sleeping position. Changing your sleeping position can have a large impact on your sleep quality. Lying down can be uncomfortable for patients with COPD because the airways usually have difficulty staying open. Some patients work around this by propping themselves up on higher pillows, since an upright position makes it easier to breathe. This position, however, can also be quite uncomfortable as the hours pass, possibly disrupting sleep. Your best bet is to sleep on your side. This position keeps the airways open and prevents any pressure on the throat, thus minimizing the chances of breathing problems while you snooze.

Keep your head higher. Aside from checking your sleeping position, you can also check whether your head is in the right position when sleeping. When you sleep on your side, make sure that your head is supported well and propped up higher by comfortable pillows. Keeping your head elevated prevents airway restriction that may lead to serious breathing problems. Using one to two pillows can help provide adequate head support to maintain open airways.

Look into your medications. Though its usually the symptoms of COPD that affect sleep quality, there are times when your medications could be contributing to your nighttime woes. Talk to your doctor about your medications, and ask whether any of them may have side effects that lead to sleep disruption. You can also do your own research and look up the side effects of your medications. If you notice that a certain drug may be causing your sleeping difficulties, ask your doctor for an alternative drug. Note that you should always consult your physician when attempting to stop or switch medications. You may also ask your doctor for any possibility of adjusting your medication schedule, so that any drugs that can help you breathe better can be taken at night.

Don’t go to sleep hungry. Attempting to sleep with a growling stomach will only further aggravate your sleeping difficulties. If it’s been a few hours after dinner and you still feel hungry before bedtime, snack on some high-protein food, like nuts or cheese. Try to avoid carbohydrate and sugar-rich snacks before bed since these stimulate your metabolism, making it more difficult to fall asleep. Also, avoid any caffeinated drinks starting in the afternoon. Don’t drink soft drinks or other carbonated beverages, either, which can cause trouble breathing from the gas that pushes up on the diaphragm.

Meditate and do deep breathing. Meditation and breathing at least 15 minutes before going to bed can help your body and mind wind down and relax. You can do this by simply sitting quietly and taking long, deep breaths. Focus on your breaths for at least 5 to 10 minutes, and feel the tension from your body ease up. Aside form putting you into a state of relaxation, this practice also helps clear up your airways of any mucus that can make breathing more difficult once you lie down.

Use supplemental oxygen. If you are on supplemental oxygen around the clock or for a number of hours a day, don’t turn it off at bedtime. Having supplemental oxygen while sleeping helps keep your blood oxygen levels stable, allowing you to sleep better throughout the night. If your doctor prescribes oxygen only on an “as needed” basis, ask him or her if using supplemental oxygen at bedtime may help you sleep more easily.

Aside from following these tips above, you can also make sure that your room is conducive to sleeping. The temperature should be cool, while the room should be completely dark. Having a sleep schedule also helps, where you go to bed at the same time each night. All of these can help you sleep better and be more energized the following day!

Do you have any other tips to sleep better? We’d be glad to hear about them in the comments below!

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