What to do if you have trouble sleeping after surgery?
Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash
Good sleep forms a crucial aspect of the healing process following any surgery. However, many patients often complain about insomnia or deprivation of sleep during recovery. The reasons may be anything from medications to the stress of the surgery or even not getting the right pillow.
The bouts of insomnia can be a significant obstacle to recovery and bring along multiple issues, such as cardiovascular problems and increased pain. Thus, it is advisable not to ignore any insomnia after surgery and follow up with your doctor immediately if it happens.
There are many forums and websites to help you in this regard, such as research by the staff of SweetIslandDreams.com. Here, you can get relevant tips and tricks to overcome insomnia following surgery.
Relevant tips to overcome insomnia after surgery
Let us walk through some relevant and practical tips to overcome any trouble in sleeping after surgery.
Identification of cause is important
Observe the environment and identify the leading cause of sleep loss. If sharp lights or an incorrect pillow is causing a disturbance in sleep, get permanent solutions for those. A new and comfortable pillow and dim lights may help soothe your nerves.
Some other causes may be laser surgeries and hampered airway control. Laser surgeries are more extended recovery period, more anesthesia, and even longer stay in the hospital. This can lead to insomnia for some patients. On the other hand, hampered airway control may cause sleep apnea and snoring.
Sleep apnea implies short bouts of not breathing while sleeping. After surgery, this medical condition may worsen, thereby disrupting your sleep.
Pay attention to the medication
Medications being administered to you after surgeries can also hamper your sleeping pattern. Some of these medicines may also lead to dizziness or insomnia as side effects. In this case, you can talk to your healthcare provider or doctor to adjust the doses of such medicines.
However, never stop taking the medication or reduce its dosage on your own without talking to your doctor. This cannot only hamper your recovery period but can have adverse effects on your health as well.
Avoid unnecessary napping
When you are on a bed rest routine following your surgery, it is very easy to fall asleep multiple times during the day. However, this frequent and unnecessary napping may lead to your body needing help to make a sleep pattern and follow it.
Thus, it is advisable to make efforts to stay awake during irregular hours of the day. According to experts, sleeping 1 hour a day is equivalent to losing 2 hours of sleep at night. So, even if you are exhausted, try to minimize your day naps so that you can sleep at a stretch at night.
Take help with anxiety management
Anxiety attacks regarding surgery and recovery may lead to acute procedural anxiety issues among some patients. This can lead to sleep disorders and increased pain perceptions as well.
If you find yourself in such a situation, you should talk to your doctor. There are many alternative treatments for solving these post-surgical anxiety issues, such as therapies, psychotherapy, or medications.
Use progressive muscle relaxation
You can also take help from progressive muscle relaxation to deal with post-surgical insomnia. The process deals with gently causing tension and then relaxing your body parts. You can take help from professionals who are well aware of this method.
The progressive muscle relaxation process initiates from your feet and then moves up in the body to your neck and shoulders. Repeat the process till you feel relaxed and go to sleep.
Final words
Post-surgical insomnia is a routine problem faced by many people worldwide. Even minor surgeries can have adverse effects on your sleep pattern. However, talking to your doctor and following some practical tips can help you get a good night’s sleep!
The need remains to follow these tips ardently and listen to what advice your doctor has to give. In addition, minor things such as paying attention to your environment, following your hobbies, listening to some good music, taking a bath before sleeping, and timing your medicines about 30 minutes of your sleeping time can help you immensely. Happy recovering!