Ankylosing Spondylitis is defined as “A type of arthritis in which there is long-term inflammation of the joints of the spine.” The rare form of arthritis makes the patient experience chronic pain and severe discomfort by affecting the spine and other joints. The exact cause of ankylosing spondylitis is yet to be ascertained accurately. Likewise, the rare form of arthritis cannot be cured successfully.
Often patients experience more pain after staying longer in the bed. Also, the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis are aggravated when the patients remain inactive or sleep for longer hours. The skilled orthopedic spine surgeons prevent the symptoms of the rare form of arthritis from worsening by combining exercise, medication, and surgery. They further make the patient sleep better in a number of ways.
7 Simple Tips to Sleep Better If You Have Ankylosing Spondylitis
Often people having ankylosing spondylitis experience discomfort due to incorrect sleep position. It is always important to assess the discomfort of different sleep positions. The assessment will help you to choose the sleep position that is both comfortable and best for your spine. It is also a great idea to sleep flat without using a pillow at regular intervals.
In addition to selecting a spine-friendly sleep position, you also need to choose the right mattress and pillow. It is always a good idea to sleep with no pillow. However, you can still use a thin pillow to sleep more comfortably. Likewise, you must consider sleeping on an even surface by selecting a mattress that does not sag due to age or usage.
Like other forms of arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis also requires you to make changes to your diet and food habits. It is always important to avoid foods and drinks that make it difficult for you to sleep. For instance, you can easily sleep for longer hours by avoiding foods containing excessive sugar or fat.
A number of studies show the positive impact of regular exercise on the quality of sleep for people having ankylosing spondylitis. You can sleep comfortably for longer hours by practicing certain exercises on a daily basis. However, you must avoid exercising rigorously as you will feel restless while sleeping due to a rise in body temperature and heart rates.
You cannot sleep properly if you don’t keep your smartphone or tablet away from you during the night. The blue light emitting from the handheld devices will increase stress and hinder sleep. You need to make it a practice to switch off your mobile device before going to bed.
Many people with ankylosing spondylitis suffer from a common sleep disorder called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea makes it difficult for patients to sleep by causing shallow or restricted breathing. The sleep disorder further makes the person wake up frequently throughout the night. You cannot sleep comfortably for longer hours without treating various symptoms of sleep apnea – loud snoring, morning headache and awakening with a dry mouth.
The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis will aggravate and you will experience more pain by staying in the bed for more time. It is always important to go to bed only when you feel sleepy. If you are not feeling sleepy, it is a great idea to indulge in relaxing activities like listening to favorite music, reading a book and solving crossword puzzles.
The skilled orthopedic spine surgeons treat ankylosing spondylitis by combining medication, exercises, and surgery. They further emphasize keeping the patient comfortable by improving the quality of sleep and restoring restful sleep. Each patient can easily sleep and remain inactive for longer hours by practicing a number of simple techniques on a regular basis.
Dr. Susmit Naskar is leading orthopedic spine surgeon in Kolkata, India with fellowships in MISS, Kyphoscoliosis Correction, Fusion-less Scoliosis Correction Surgery from Germany & USA respectively. If you are suffering from Spondylosis then don’t get tensed; you can directly reach us at “+91 6290 967 376” or can give a mail at “info@advancespinesurgery.com” to book an appointment and get yourself treated.
Clinic Address
Advance Spine Care
185, Sarat Bose Rd,
Manoharpukur, Kalighat,
Kolkata, West Bengal
700026
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