Sleep Disorders: Sleep and Chronic Illness

A chronic illness is an illness that lasts for a long time and usually cannot be cured, but it often can be controlled. Examples include diabetes, arthritis, HIV/AIDS, lupus, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

The pain and fatigue that people with chronic illness experience have a large impact on their daily lives, including sleep. Because of their illness, people with chronic illnesses often have trouble sleeping at night, and are sleepy during the day. This is especially the case for people who have neurological (nervous system) diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Additionally, many people with chronic illnesses also suffer from depression, which can also affect their sleep. Lastly, some drugs used to treat chronic illnesses can cause sleep problems. … keep reading