Sleep Is The Best Medicine!

“A GOOD LAUGH AND A LONG SLEEP ARE THE BEST CURES IN THE DOCTOR’S BOOK.”

Irish Proverb

People with Multiple Sclerosis know that sleep is the best medicine for managing symptoms of MS and improving quality of life.  It took me a while to figure out that when I’m stressed or tired my symptoms are worse. My word-finding, speech, and balance are affected.  I can’t stay focused or complete tasks. Eventually, my legs will weaken and vibrate, and my face will get numb and tingly. Finally, I will get stabbing eye pain and migraine.

Getting enough sleep is crucial for the body’s ability to repair itself

Getting enough sleep is necessary for everyone but it’s especially important if you have MS because getting enough sleep affects myelin.  Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its myelin and sleep plays a part in the ability of the brain’s cells to grow and repair themselves.1

According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, sleep increases the reproduction of cells that play a part in the formation of myelin. Lack of sleep is linked with the activation of genes associated with cell stress and death. 2

Rest and restore

Your body isn’t taking a break while you sleep, it’s performing vital maintenance.  During sleep, the central nervous system is actively removing toxins and waste from the brain; neural activity that accumulated while you were awake. The brain’s blood vessels are like a plumbing system that drains away waste. This is important because, “In essentially all neurodegenerative diseases, protein waste accumulates and eventually suffocates and kills the neuronal network of the brain.” This includes amyloid-beta proteins which are implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.3

People with MS are at increased risk of heart disease

Studies indicate that people with MS appear to be at increased risk of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke.4 Sleep aids the body to heal and repair heart and blood vessels, making it a key element to help prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.  According to the National Sleep Foundation, during restorative sleep, “Blood pressure drops, breathing slows down, blood flow moves to the muscles and tissue is repaired.” 5

The effects of sleep deprivation:

Studies show that missing even one night of sleep can affect reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and decision-making. We need enough restorative sleep to be able to process and consolidate new information and commit it to memory.6

Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked with an increased risk of dementia, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. It also can speed up the aging process and impair brain networks that control cognitive function. Sleep deprivation promotes inflammation and affects logical reasoning, decision making, alertness, learning, and memory. It is also linked with increased anxiety.7

Sleep dysfunction is common in Multiple Sclerosis

According to The National MS Society, people with MS may be up to three times more likely to experience sleep disturbances than the general population, and about two times as likely to experience a reduced quality of sleep.

MS impacts sleep in the following ways:

  • Disruption of neurotransmitters involved in sleep can result in narcolepsy, fatigue, and poor sleep efficiency.
  • Deficiencies in Vitamin D, and other nutrients that may help regulate sleep.
  • Reduced physical activity due to fatigue and MS-related disability.
  • Other MS symptoms including, restless legs, pain, urinary or bowel issues, temperature dysregulation.
  • Not getting restorative sleep affects mood, fatigue, cognition, balance, spasticity, and pain.
  • Emotional changes including stress, anxiety, or depression.8,9

MS and Insomnia

Insomnia is an issue with MS.  Early morning wakefulness is a form of insomnia associated with anxiety or depression. It’s when you wake up several hours earlier than necessary and can’t fall back to sleep.10

Another form of insomnia is excessive daytime sleepiness. It occurs when you have trouble falling asleep or you can’t maintain sleep. Both forms of insomnia can affect cognitive function.11

Practice progressive muscle relaxation for insomnia:

Slowly tense and release one muscle at a time. Start with your toes and work your way up your body and then back down again. Tense for a few seconds, relax, start again. Focus on each muscle. Personally, I like to start with my head. I visualize a white healing light going through my brain and down my body as I concentrate on tensing and relaxing my muscles. It’s a great stress reliever and before you know it, you’re waking up in the morning.

Sleep deprivation suppresses immune function. T-cells go down and inflammatory cytokines go up.12

Research from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has shown that neurons that control sleep interact closely with the immune system.  Getting enough sleep may help the body conserve energy and other resources that the immune system needs to mount an attack.13

Getting a good night’s sleep is the first line of defense when managing a chronic illness. It helps to maintain emotional well-being and healthy brain function. Sleep is the foundation for good health!

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1 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130903193807.htm
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24005282 
3 https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/…/scientists-discover-previously-unknown-cleansing-
4 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articlesPMC440442
5 https://sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/what-happens-when-you-sleep
6 2 Weeks to A Younger Brain. An Innovative Program for a Better Memory and Sharper Mind, Get Smart  with Brain Games, chapter 4, p. 63-64
7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3648777/
8,9 www.nationalmssociety.org/Living-Well-With-MS/Diet-ExerciseHealthy…/Sleep  
www.nationalmssociety.org/Living-Well-With-MS/Diet-Exercise-Healthy-Behaviors/Sleep
10 www.verywell.com/what-causes-early-morning-awakenings-3014946
11 http://www.smrv-journal.com/article/S1087-0792(11)00037-2/abstract
12 https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/immune-system-lack-of-sleep#1
13 www.resources.lupus.org/entry/sleep-is-essential Sleep deprivation compromises the immune system

4 thoughts on “Sleep Is The Best Medicine!”

  1. I need sleep!! haha As a new mom, I appreciate sleep more than ever before!!! I just wish I have 1 day where I can get a total of good 10hrs sleep. 🙂 I guess it’s all just wishful thinking now.

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