Sleep
Night time leg cramps more common in summer
Painful nocturnal leg cramps are about twice as common during summer than in winter, says research in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
In the UK and Canada quinine is sometimes prescribed to treat leg cramps, so a team looked at the number of new quinine prescriptions for adults over 50 years of age in British Columbia, Canada, over a six year period. Continue reading
Vicious circle: sleep disturbance-pain-depression-disability
Sleep disturbances are linked to pain and depression, but not disability, in people with osteoarthritis, new research highlights in Arthritis Care & Research. And poor sleep increases depression and disability, but does not worsen pain over time.
Previous research found that people with knee osteoarthritis have problems falling asleep (31%), staying asleep (81%) and general sleep problems (77%).
The new one-year study involved 288 people with knee osteoarthritis who provided information on sleep disturbances, pain, functional limitations and depressive symptoms. Continue reading
Pain after joint replacement ops reduces sleep and means a longer hospital stay
Pain can make it difficult for some people to get a good night’s sleep while recovering in hospital following common surgical procedures, often resulting in longer hospital stays, according to US researchers.
A total of 50 people who had total hip or knee replacement surgery were included in the study. They were on a hospital floor that has strict quiet time overnight, so were unaffected by noise, lights and excessive movement in the area. Total sleep time, sleep efficiency, pain scores and use of narcotics for pain were recorded. Results showed: Continue reading
Prevent insomnia to reduce pain of rheumatic conditions
People with musculoskeletal pain due to rheumatic conditions are at increased risk of insomnia, says research published in Rheumatology.
Many people with rheumatic conditions live in almost constant pain, and those who are also affected by insomnia often have worse health outcomes.
So a UK team examined the role of pain, physical limitation and reduced social participation in predicting the onset of insomnia. A total of 6,676 people aged 50 years or older were surveyed twice, once at the start of the study and again after three years. Continue reading
Hypnosis may extend restorative slow-wave sleep
Restorative slow-wave sleep can be increased without medication – using hypnosis – therefore improving overall health, scientists report in Sleep.
We know that slow wave sleep has a positive impact on memory and the functioning of the immune system. During periods of slow wave sleep growth hormones are secreted, cell repair is promoted and the defence system is stimulated. Continue reading
