{"id":25089,"date":"2023-01-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-staging.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/sleep-and-autoimmune-disease\/"},"modified":"2023-10-31T16:53:33","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T16:53:33","slug":"sleep-and-autoimmune-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/sleep-and-autoimmune-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Sleep Better With an Autoimmune Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anyone who lives with an autoimmune knows how challenging it can be. In fact,\u00a0one in five Americans<\/a>\u00a0lives with at least one of the\u00a0more than 100 known autoimmune diseases\u00a0caused by the body\u2019s immune system \u201cturning against\u201d one of its organs or systems.<\/p>\n

Not only is it challenging to manage an autoimmune disease, but this wide range of conditions can seriously impact sleep. This article will delve into the relationship between sleep and autoimmune disease and offer tips for sleeping better if you have an autoimmune disorder.<\/p>\n

Sleep and autoimmune disease<\/h2>\n

There’s increasing evidence that sleep and the\u00a0immune system<\/a>\u00a0mutually affect each other. While the immune system affects sleep, sleep itself is believed to have a restorative effect on immune processes.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, the lack of high-quality sleep is believed to negatively impact the immune system and\u00a0may even contribute<\/a>\u00a0to the development of autoimmune disease.<\/p>\n

Here’s what you need to know about the relationship between autoimmune disease and fatigue, insomnia, and sleep apnea.<\/p>\n

Fatigue<\/h3>\n

Sleep and autoimmune disease are deeply connected. One of the most common symptoms of various autoimmune diseases is\u00a0fatigue<\/a>\u2014typically defined as debilitating periods of exhaustion that interfere with normal activities.<\/p>\n

Fatigue can interfere with simple tasks like climbing stairs or crossing the room. Inflammation is known to affect the physiological processes that contribute to fatigue, including oxygen\/nutrient supply, metabolism, mood, motivation, and sleepiness.<\/p>\n

The central nervous system also contributes to fatigue as it’s affected either directly or indirectly by numerous autoimmune and related disorders.<\/p>\n

Insomnia<\/h3>\n

Chronic pain is a frequent feature of autoimmune disease because of the body\u2019s tendency to attack joints and connective tissue. Inflammation itself, as well as the targeted tissue\u2019s response to it, is painful.<\/p>\n

Chronic pain can severely disrupt sleep and cause\u00a0insomnia<\/a>. Autoimmune diseases that target the central nervous system can be particularly painful.<\/p>\n

Sleep apnea<\/h3>\n

A 2020\u00a0study<\/a>\u00a0found that untreated\u00a0sleep apnea<\/a>\u00a0can increase the risk of developing certain autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis<\/a> and psoriasis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The study showed patients with untreated sleep apnea had abnormal levels of cytokines, proteins that play a key role in regulating physiological functions such as mood, cognition, and sleep.<\/p>\n

How to treat autoimmune disease sleep problems<\/h2>\n

Here are a few tips to help improve your sleep if you have an autoimmune disorder:<\/p>\n