Wellness begins with a good night’s rest, which can be challenging when diagnosed with MDS. It may be reassuring to know that you are not alone in having a difficult time sleeping. One-third to one-half of cancer patients experience changes in their sleep patterns. Difficulty sleeping has been linked to physical illness, pain, hospitalization, medications, and the psychological impact of being diagnosed with cancer. Poor sleep interferes with your ability to function well and increases the likelihood of depression and anxiety. Sleep deprived states have also been linked with decreased pain tolerance.
How much sleep is enough? The general rule of thumb is 7-9 hours of sleep per night, according to the National Sleep Foundation. However, like exercise, sleep needs are individual. One person may function well with 7 hours of sleep, while another may need 10 hours.
MDS Foundation: multisite-demo.com www.BuildingBlocksofHope.com
Cancer.net: Sleep http://www.cancer.net/blog/2016-05/8-steps-restful-nights-sleep
American Cancer Society: Sleep Problems
Cancer Care: Sleep http://www.cancercare.org/tagged/sleep
Oncolink: Sleep disturbances https://www.oncolink.org/healthcare-professionals/o-pro-portal/articles-about-cancer-treatment-and-medications/sleep-disturbances-and-cancer