Ignoring Sleep Dysfunction: A Mistake You Shouldn’t Make During Cancer Treatment.
Sleep disturbances are often a major concern among 30% to 75% of people with cancer across the world. The reaction towards the news of one being diagnosed with cancer is different in different cultures. In India and many parts of the world, a lot of people consider cancer as a death sentence. Try to imagine the state of mind when a person who had such upbringing diagnosed with cancer; I would be surprised only if they DO NOT face difficulties about their sleep. In fact, inability to get back to sleep or non-restorative sleep is seldom reported even years after the cancer treatment.
The good news is, there are ways to overcome such situations; Firstly, one must discuss the problem and understand why it is so important to have a good sleep. Secondly, after finding the root cause of the disturbances, it must be tackled with appropriate remedies recommended by the right people. In the interest of time, I assume one can not afford to make wrong choices and do experiments when it comes to cancer treatment. When should one seek professional advice in cancer care? I would say sooner the better!
Reasons Why a Good Night Sleep is So Important.
Building a strong immune system is vital in cancer treatment; better the immunity greater the system’s ability to destroy the tumor cells. In adults, Human Growth Hormones (HGH) help the cells to repair and reproduce, and they are released during the deep sleep. Moreover, a “mind-body” connection is very important for fighting cancer and an uninterrupted sleep always improves a person’s psychological well-being and elates the mood. It is also known to help in reducing stress resulting in an overall quality of life, something that money alone can’t buy.
The Causes of Sleep Disruptions.
- Psychological/Emotional distress: Recurrent negative automatic thoughts, fear of uncertainty, lack of awareness and difficulties in decision making about the treatment can cause chronic distress impacting not only the quality but also the quantity of sleep. Even the fear of recurrence often triggers such emotional burden among cancer survivors.
- Comorbid conditions: Comorbidity is the presence of one or more additional diseases or disorders apart from cancer itself, such as a history of sleep disorders, anxiety, depression or psychiatric conditions.
- Disease and treatment related side-effects:Physical symptoms like nausea & vomiting are some of the common side effects of cancer can spoil the sleep. Apart from that, even the steroids taken as part of the treatment can also disturb the sleep.
- External factors: Smoking, alcohol or caffeine-containing beverages before the sleep can highly disturb one’s sleeping. Other factors like day-time naps need for frequent urination, certain dietary habits, the new environment at the hospital such as the change in bed, an unfamiliar noise or the differences in lightings can also be some of the causes behind sleep disturbances.
The Measures & Recommendations:
1. Ensure favourable environment:
◆ Prepare favourable sleeping arrangements with warm and comfortable bedding and pillows to ensure a good sleep
◆ Pay attention to factors such as any unfamiliar noises, unpleasant odor or even the lighting of the room.
◆ Avoid the use of electronic screens like television and mobile phones in the last few hours before sleeping (minimum 2 hours recommended)
2. Bring behavioural changes, if needed:
◆ Maintain a consistent sleep routine and avoid daytime naps.
◆ Improve eating habits; avoid heavy meals & excess water, caffeine-containing beverages & food before sleeping. Drinking warm milk before bed can induce good sleep.
◆ Quit smoking and alcohol consumption completely.
◆ Ensure the right amount of physical activity which will promote relaxation and sleep.
3. Seek professional assistance:
◆ Counseling help from a psycho-oncologist is highly recommended from the beginning of the treatment. (Psycho-oncology is the branch of health psychology which offers professional support for people with cancer.). It is recommended not to rely upon amateurs for expert advice. However, a professional psychologist can also help.
◆ If there is any clinical condition such as anxiety, depression, delirium at any stage, it must be taken seriously. Sadly, in most cases, people lack the motivation to seek a psychiatrist’s help due to the fear of being misunderstood. But, such ignorance due to the attached stigma and shame can only decrease the efficiency of the treatment.
◆ Taking professional help to practice mindfulness-based stress reduction will bring down the emotional distress and will add a sense of self-control. Practicing relaxation methods such as deep breathing, guided imagery, and muscle relaxation techniques or yoga can help in getting a good sleep.
◆ Certain medications can cause sleep disturbances in some cases. The best person to suggest remedies in pharmacological management is the primary physician. He/she must be well informed about all the other professional help taken during the time of treatment.
To Conclude:
It is the caretaker’s responsibility to pay more attention not only in finding the areas of discomfort but also to ensure a very good sleep. In addition to this, it would be good if caretakers keep a daily record in order to monitor the sleep. Information such as time, duration, the time taken to fall asleep, intermittent sleep, recurring nightmares etc. can be very helpful during the treatment. Ignoring sleep disturbances during the cancer treatment would be a mistake that one cannot afford to make.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, as well as your experience and other inspiring stories while dealing with cancer care. (If you are a cancer care professional and looking for a chance to meet, share and discuss your passion with other like minded people, come join us on Psycho-oncology Professional Network)
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