We all love to sleep, Right? But there is obvious frustration and anger when someone or something disrupts it. Sometimes the culprit is pain that does not let us sleep peacefully as there is a deep relation between pain and sleep. 

While pain is an inescapable condition for all, facing sleep disturbances makes the situation worse. You may think that the situation will get better. But your pain may continue to take away your rest time. If you are also suffering from the same, then let this article answer your questions and provide you with adequate solutions. 

Why does Pain occur?

There are billions of nerves in the human body that send signals throughout the body. Similarly, when something affects the body or has issues, then the body gives the feeling of pain. There can be different reasons for the occurrence of pain like injuries, medical procedures, and some medical conditions. 

Pain is the mechanism of the body that indicates some problem that it is facing. Regardless of the reason for the pain, any severe pain can interrupt daily activities including sleep. Therefore, while sleep can cause various other problems in the body, combining it with pain can cause extreme frustration and anxiety in people. 

Pain and Sleep: The deep Connection 

Everyone in their life faces the situation when they are sleepless due to the intensity of the pain. But it may occur occasionally due to injury or other reasons. But imagine the people not sleeping regularly due to the pain conditions. 

Though, pain is the way of telling about the problem due to which you are not able to sleep. But do you know that there is a deeper connection between the two? Before that, let us understand the mechanism of sleep. Though, the researchers are just getting started with the sleep insights and mechanism that goes inside. However, new studies are taking place and during sleep, one undergoes different stages. 

A person during a sleep experience light sleep, deep sleep, and REM (Rapid Eye Movement). These sleep stages are necessary for a person to get the benefits of healthy sleep. However, when pain occurs in the body, it disturbs these sleep cycles causing sleeplessness and other problems. 

How does pain keep a person awake?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 2 out of 3 people experience pain that accompanies sleeping problems. When a person gets pain signals, the nerves are stimulated. Then, millions of nerve signals pass through the body to the mind signaling pain. Therefore, during the time you feel pain, your nervous system or brain is active. 

When the brain is active, it is difficult for a person to sleep. Also, a person does not undergo all the essential sleep stages for body cell rejuvenation and a healthy mind. Also, when the brain is active due to pain, it is unable to relax which is needed for good sleep. However, if the pain continues for several days or weeks, it can cause a sleeping disorder. 

In addition, sometimes the pain relief medications that people use can also cause sleeping disorders like insomnia or apnea. Therefore, it is advisable for everyone to take painkillers, especially opioids only after a doctor’s consultation. 

Which pain causes Sleep disturbances?

Though, regardless of the area of pain, severe or chronic pain can rob sleep for people, reducing shuteye time. If the intensity of the pain is severe, no one can sleep peacefully. However, according to different reports, some pain is more common in people which reduces sleep time. These includes:

• Headaches
• Back pain 
• TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Pain) 
• Arthritis 
• Fibromyalgia 
• Cancer pain 
• Medical procedures like Chemotherapy or surgery 

In addition, there is some further research on pain and sleep connection. The surgery pain most often reduces both the quality and intensity of sleep. In addition, the pain has a connection with the circadian rhythm of the body. Pain, especially arthritis, can affect the circadian rhythm (body clock). Therefore, people with arthritis often have problems with sleeping or the pain is worse in the morning. 

Furthermore, conditions like Fibromyalgia have a brain connection that inhibits the process of deep sleep causing disruptions in the quality of sleep. 

Can sleeplessness affect pain? 

You may have also felt sleeplessness if you are suffering from the pain. But have you noticed that if you are not sleeping, your pain gets worse over time? If you haven’t, then now is the time to notice. Because various studies show that low sleep in people can deeply affect the pain condition making them worse. 

One of the studies in the Sleep Journal shows that people who are low on rest or sleep have more sensitivity to pain regardless of their health situation. The sensitivity in the body can increase certain inflammatory chemicals like cytokines. Therefore, the sensitivity and inflammation in the body can make the pain worse in people. Therefore, pain and sleep have a two-way connection and both affect each other. 

Also, REM (Rapid Eye Movement) is an essential phase of sleep. So, when someone does not undergo these stages the body does not get the required amount of restoration of cells. 

How to manage pain at home?

The condition of pain sometimes goes out of hand and requires an instant solution. But people do not tend to take painkillers as the first choice. So, here are some pain management techniques that one can try at home:

• Strengthening Exercises: Sometimes due to weak muscles pain can occur. So, strengthening your weak parts can help ease the pain. In addition, regular stretching exercise keeps the pain away. Before performing the exercise, consult your doctor if it is suitable for your condition or not. 
• Sleeping Position: Using pillows, elevation, or finding a comfortable position can dramatically ease the pain. Because sleeping flat is not always the best option. 
• OTC Medications: Sometimes for less severe pain, Over the counter, medications can help relieve the pain. But if they do not work, then professional help is necessary. 
• Sleeping Habits: Sleep plays an important role in pain management. So, it is necessary to maintain good sleep habits so that the condition does not get worse. 
• Consult a doctor: If the home remedies do not work or the pain is severe and interrupts your daily routine, then it is better to consult a doctor and take appropriate action. 

Tips to Improve Sleep while dealing with Pain 

Now, if you are unable to sleep, then here are some tips that can help you get your rest and night’s sleep:

• Stress Management: Stress and anxiety can occur with pain. Therefore, the management of stress and providing some relaxation to the body can help you sleep much better. 
• Healthy Diet: A balanced meal can help reduce inflammation and promote better brain function. This will result in less pain and more sleep benefits. 
• Avoid Caffeine: Consuming caffeine, especially in the evening or night can have an impact on the quality of sleep. Avoid any kind of stimulants late in the day. 
• Invest in Mattress: Sometimes old or uneven mattresses can result in bad posture and body pain the next day. So, if you are having muscle pain, back pain, or pressure point pain, then maybe your mattress is the culprit. 

Medicinal Treatment for Pain and Sleep 

Now, before you treat your pain or sleep with any external help, it is important to understand both. If your body is having this tiring combination, then you need to figure out who came first. Therefore, by watching what is causing what, start your treatment accordingly. If the home remedies do not work or the pain or sleep conditions are worsening with time, then it is better to consult a doctor and take other treatments along with home management. 

However, not every medication is suitable for everyone. We are recommending some of the best medications but it is necessary to consult the doctor. So, read below to know more about the medicines. 

Medicine for Pain 

Though there are different painkillers available in the market like Percocet, Tramadol, Hydrocodone, etc. But here we are recommending Tramadol as it is the 35th most prescribed medication in the United States and has already made more than 17 million prescriptions. 

The brand name is Ultram and is an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. Also, it can help with the pain that is associated with surgery or medical procedures. This is an opioid pain reliever and a prescription medication that is available with certain guidelines. 

Medicine for Sleep Problems 

Sleep problems can create a messy life. Therefore, sometimes external medication can help you get that rest that you are unable to despite all the efforts. Therefore, medications like Ambien can support you. It is one of the most prescribed medications for sleeping problems like Insomnia. Its generic version Zolpidem is also available which is more affordable. 

This drug works on the GABA neurotransmitter in the brain that increases the calmness in the brain. So, it helps you to get at least 8-9 hours of sleep without interruption. You can also get Ambien online overnight for sleep. 

Summary 

There are various reasons why someone can experience pain in the body or sleeping issues. However, when pain and sleep overlap each other and occur due to each other, the condition gets worse. 

Therefore, it is better to recognize the root cause and consult the healthcare provider for the right support. However, if your doctors prescribe you medications like Tramadol or Ambien, then you can get prescription medications online. 

So, get them from a licensed and genuine pharmacy. One such pharmacy is Rite Aid Pharmacy. Lastly, whether the problem is sleep, pain, or both. Suffering from anything is not the solution. So, use home management techniques or work with your doctor for better relief.