3 Sleep Solutions for Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment
Cancer patients often experience trouble sleeping due to insomnia, night sweats or hot flashes. While these symptoms are sometimes direct effects of the disease, they can also develop as a result of certain treatments or medications. Regardless of why they are occurring, insomnia in cancer patients can become a real problem if they are unable to sleep; quality rest is needed for physical health as well as mental and emotional well being.
So what can a cancer patient do to make sure they get enough sleep at night? There are a few techniques and products which make a good night's sleep possible even if insomnia, night sweats or hot flashes are occurring.
Light Therapy
Certain medications and treatments can interfere with a cancer patient's circadian rhythms and REM sleep cycles. In order to counteract this, light therapy can be used. This involves exposure to special lamps that help to keep the body's circadian rhythms in line. By using light therapy, cancer patients with insomnia are often able to get more restful sleep each night.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Doctors can also help insomnia in cancer patients through the use of cognitive behavioral therapy. Much of this involves keeping the same rituals in order to prepare the body for sleep. For example, a patient might be instructed to spend one hour on a relaxing, quiet activity each night before bed. It can also help for patients to stick to a strict sleep/wake schedule every day.
Cooling Bedding and Pajamas
For night sweats and hot flashes caused by the disease, medications or treatment, it can help to find bedding and nighttime attire that will help relieve these issues. Cool-jams™ offers some of the most popular pajamas for cancer patients because the fabrics are designed to wick away moisture and keep the body temperature regulated. They can be used as breast cancer pajamas, prostate cancer pajamas or pajamas for just about any type of cancer.
Cool-jams™ cooling sheets, blankets, mattress pads, and pillows also include temperature-regulating technology. These fabrics will absorb heat when the patient gets too hot and release heat back if the patient becomes chilly.
With these strategies and products, cancer patients are often able to overcome some of the sleep disturbances they've experienced as a result of their illness. If you need more recommendations, talk to your doctor about other solutions for cancer-related sleep issues.