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Pain, which is due to various health issues like toothache, spinal or back pain, or even exhaustion, can affect one's quality of life. Some individuals who suffer from either acute or chronic pain are sleep deprived. To them, sleep is fleeting or completely evasive. Going too long without proper sleep is detrimental to physical and mental well-being. Sleep is an important bodily process because it allows the body to recuperate and heal after being subjected to different kinds of stressors each day. Fortunately, there are various ways to deal with or to alleviate pain in order for a person to get quality zzzs.
1. Choose the right mattress. The right mattress can help those who don't get enough sleep due to muscle, back or body pain. If you just bought a new bed and you're not able to sleep through the night in it, then maybe it's not the right fit. This goes the same for a very old and lumpy mattress that can no longer support your body properly. So, see to it that your mattress supports your spine and your entire body well. It should not swallow you whole, which often happens with mattresses that are too soft. This can make moving difficult and more strenuous. On the other hand, mattresses that are too hard can put pressure on the lower spine, upper back, hips and shoulders. So, choose one that is firm but not too hard, and one that adequately supports your spine.
2. Use pillows properly. Pillows, if used properly, can enhance comfort and reduce body pain. Using a pillow with just the right height can effectively support the head and neck and can lessen muscle strain. If you're a side sleeper, place a pillow in between your legs to avoid overturning your hips when asleep.
3. Visit a specialist. Pain is an indicator that there might be something wrong with your health. Pain that has lasted for several days, weeks or months should not be ignored. Go to your doctor and have yourself checked. You could be ill, or you could be suffering from a serious sleep disorder. Dealing with the main cause of your health problem is the first step to fixing the source of the pain.
4. Know your meds. Some individuals have to take maintenance medications for certain conditions. There are medicines, such as those taken for high blood pressure or epilepsy, which can affect sleep. If you're taking drugs that are interfering with your sleep, ask your doctor about how you can alleviate the sleeplessness. You might have to make a few lifestyle changes or your doctor could prescribe you another type of medication. Do not self-medicate as this is dangerous. There are drug interactions that could have disastrous results.
5. Determine if you're obese. Obesity is a serious health problem in the U.S. and it is linked to a number of sleep problems. Because of their weight, some experience difficulty of breathing when lying down. Others suffer from chronic back pain because of their physical condition. Ask for help from your doctor or nutritionist on how you can attain a healthier weight to avoid suffering from pain and other health problems.
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This blog post was written by Claire Thorpe who is interested in issues related to health and wellness. Much of the material she has written has been about factors that affect sleep. Some of this content has been used by Parklane Mattresses.
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