Sleep disturbance with psoriasis
Restful sleep is like balm for body and mind - it regenerates, strengthens and lets us start the day with new energy. But for people suffering from psoriasis, the night can become one big challenge.
Behind the obvious accompanying symptoms, such as the scaly, reddened areas of skin and the persistent itching, there is an often overlooked problem: sleep disorders that not only rob sufferers of their well-earned rest, but also severely impair their quality of life. In this blog post, we look at the background to sleep disturbances in psoriasis and highlight ways in which they can at least be curbed.
What causes sleep disturbances?
According to a British study, almost 80% of psoriasis sufferers suffer from poor sleep quality - 30% of them even have to struggle with obstructive sleep apnea (shallow breathing and permanent breathing pauses). A frighteningly high number, which is particularly due to the invisible symptoms of psoriasis.
Itching: The constant need to scratch the itchy, scaly patches of skin is one of the most annoying side effects of psoriasis. It's like an incessant vicious cycle - the skin itches, you scratch, it's bearable for a second, and then itches again. These intense skin irritations can prevent the sufferer from getting any sleep at all.
Pain and inflammation: Many outsiders view psoriasis solely as a dermatological condition. However, in the course of the disease, it can also lead to joint inflammation, which causes nasty pain. As a result, finding a suitable sleeping position is almost impossible and the patient wakes up with a considerable limitation of the musculoskeletal system.
Psychological stress: Like the sleep disorder itself, other accompanying symptoms of psoriasis are invisible. So are stress, depression or anxiety. The persistent thoughts circling in the head of a sufferer can also have a negative effect on sleep or even lead to insomnia.
Side effects of medications: In fact, the use of certain creams or tablets can also lead to poor sleep. For example, it has been proven that cortisone, which is popularly used to treat psoriasis, makes you awake and can cause long-lasting sleep problems.
Of course, all of these causes can vary individually - but the fact is: poor sleep or insomnia leads to a significant restriction of the quality of life, which is why those affected must act immediately. The motto here is: first find the cause of the sleep disorders. Of course, this does not have to be one of the above-mentioned.
Then - as you are probably already doing - devote yourself to the intensive treatment of your psoriasis. Depending on the symptoms, however, this can also differ and, especially in the case of sleep disorders, there are some tips and tricks to consider. We summarize the most important ones for you:
No to cortisone! As mentioned at the beginning, cortisone keeps you awake and promotes sleep disorders. Therefore, it is better to use cortisone-free, compatible and natural creams such as Alnovat. You can apply these without any problems before going to bed to temporarily curb the itching.
Practice relaxation! Practices such as meditation, breathing exercises and yoga work wonders to reduce stress and prepare the mind for restful sleep.
Support your bones! Sounds banal, but: An adequate silicon intake can lead to a significant improvement of the musculoskeletal system and thus not only protect against osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, but also contribute to an improvement in sleep quality. Especially for patients with psoriatic arthritis, this step is essential. Feel free to check out Osvalin for more information: www.osvalin.com
Sleep disturbances in psoriasis can be challenging, but by no means need to take over. It's incredibly important to realize that this doesn't have to be accepted as an inevitable fate - with a combination of medical advice, the right treatment and proven sleep habits, you can actively work to make getting a good night's sleep a restful experience again. And last but not least, you are not alone! Millions of people worldwide struggle with psoriasis and its associated symptoms. Use the power of community by sharing your experiences with other sufferers - there are various online forums where valuable tips are shared. Maybe there's one or two there for you!