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Table of Contents
The Connections Between ALS and Sleep
Treatments for ALS-Introduced Sleep Issues
Lifestyle Changes for Sleep Issues
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several links betweenamyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) and sleep disturbances. Lack of quality sleep can affect symptoms of ALS during the day.Conversely, sleep disorders can affect disease progression and survival time.
About 70% of people with ALS report having asleep disorder.But the effects of sleep disorders can look a lot like symptoms of ALS, so they may go unrecognized.
This article discusses the connections between ALS and sleep and treatment options.
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ALS and sleep are connected in multiple ways, with one affecting the other. It can become a cycle of sleep problems aggravating ALS symptoms, leading to more sleep problems.
Does ALS Affect Your Sleep?
ALS is an irreversible neurodegenerative condition. It affects the brain and spinal cord and causes progressive muscle atrophy. Symptoms such as breathing problems, muscle pain, and immobility can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Does Sleep Have Any Effect on ALS?
Good sleep is crucial to overall health. Sleep helps repair the nervous system and promote nerve regeneration. Lack of quality sleep can exacerbate symptoms and the progression of ALS. Not getting enoughsleepcan even shorten the median survival time of people with ALS.
All motor symptoms of ALS can affect sleep quality. Sleep issues related to ALS include:
Each of these problems can lead toinsomnia, the inability to get enough quality sleep to feel refreshed during the day. Other things, such asdepression, fear, and grief, can also contribute to insomnia.
There are measures you can take that might help you sleep better. Your healthcare provider can establish whether symptoms are due to ALS, a sleep disorder, or both, which will help determine the appropriate treatment.
Home Remedies
Make sure you create the most comfortablesleep environmentpossible, starting with your bed. Consider getting a hospital bed or one made for people with mobility problems.
Anadjustable bedwith sections that can be raised or lowered for head and neck support, electric hand controls, and a mattress overlay that provides alternating pressure toprevent bedsoresare good features to look for.
Your health insurance may cover some of these items, so it’s worth checking in advance. Other things you can try:
Medications
Medicines that may help ease muscle spasticity and twitches include muscle relaxants such as:
Medicines that may help with painful muscle cramps are:
Some medications may help ease symptoms of RLS, but they don’t work for everyone. Some of these are:
Other medicines may include pain relievers, antidepressants, andsleep aids. You’ll want to work closely with your healthcare team to prevent drug interactions and serious side effects.
Other Therapies
Active stretching may help decrease muscle twitching and cramping, but this can be difficult when there’s significant limb weakness.A physical therapist can work with you on daily range of motion and stretching exercises to help prevent spasticity.
If you’re having breathing problems at night, it may be time to look intononinvasive ventilation breathing supportto help you sleep. This involves wearing a mask over your nose and mouth while you sleep. It may also improve quality of life and prolong survival.
When breathing becomes more difficult, you may need a respirator (mechanical ventilation). The breathing tube can be inserted through the mouth or the windpipe (tracheostomy).
Non-drug treatments that may relieve RLS symptoms include taking a hot bath, rubbing and massaging the legs, and applying hot or cold packs.
Ensure you get proper nutrition and fluids through diet or a feeding tube. Dehydration and low levels of electrolytes can cause muscle cramps.
Basicsleep hygienecan help with sleep problems. Here are some tips forimproving sleep:
Call your healthcare provider if you’re having trouble sleeping and home remedies aren’t helping. The sooner you identify the cause, the sooner you can start treatment. Here are some signs that it’s time to make that call:
Summary
It’s common for people with ALS to have sleep problems such as sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoventilation, and insomnia. The connection between ALS and sleep goes both ways. Lack of sleep can aggravate symptoms of ALS. It can also affect disease progression and survival time. You can take a few steps to improve sleep hygiene and promote a better night’s sleep. However, your healthcare provider may be able to treat specific sleep disorder symptoms.
A Word From Verywell
With all the serious symptoms associated with ALS, you might think that poor sleep isn’t important. But it significantly impacts how you feel during the day and can worsen ALS symptoms. You don’t have to ride it out alone. If you have ALS-related insomnia, let your healthcare provider know that sleep is a problem. While there’s no cure for ALS, your healthcare team can help you feel more comfortable so you can get the rest you need.
Frequently Asked QuestionsBe sure to let your neurologist know about changes to your breathing. A breathing test can help assess the severity of your symptoms. This discussion might include a respiratory therapist or pulmonologist, with options such as noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and a ventilator with a tracheostomy.ALS causes progressive muscle weakness and affects many parts of the body. In addition to sleeping and breathing issues, symptoms include difficulty moving, speech and swallowing problems, and anxiety and depression.Learn MoreWhat Is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?Caring for someone with ALS can be physically and emotionally challenging. But your loved one’s healthcare team can connect you with helpful resources in your area. You can also contact theALS Associationfor educational information and to find your local chapter. You don’t have to go it alone, and it’s essential to take care of yourself, too.Learn MoreCaring for Someone with ALS
Be sure to let your neurologist know about changes to your breathing. A breathing test can help assess the severity of your symptoms. This discussion might include a respiratory therapist or pulmonologist, with options such as noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and a ventilator with a tracheostomy.
ALS causes progressive muscle weakness and affects many parts of the body. In addition to sleeping and breathing issues, symptoms include difficulty moving, speech and swallowing problems, and anxiety and depression.Learn MoreWhat Is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
ALS causes progressive muscle weakness and affects many parts of the body. In addition to sleeping and breathing issues, symptoms include difficulty moving, speech and swallowing problems, and anxiety and depression.
Learn MoreWhat Is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
Caring for someone with ALS can be physically and emotionally challenging. But your loved one’s healthcare team can connect you with helpful resources in your area. You can also contact theALS Associationfor educational information and to find your local chapter. You don’t have to go it alone, and it’s essential to take care of yourself, too.Learn MoreCaring for Someone with ALS
Caring for someone with ALS can be physically and emotionally challenging. But your loved one’s healthcare team can connect you with helpful resources in your area. You can also contact theALS Associationfor educational information and to find your local chapter. You don’t have to go it alone, and it’s essential to take care of yourself, too.
Learn MoreCaring for Someone with ALS
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Murala S, Katyal N, Narula N, et al.Sleep disorders in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.RRNMF Neuromuscular Journal. 2021;2(4). doi:10.17161/rrnmf.v2i4.15293Cai Q, Li M, Li Q.Sleep‐based therapy: a new treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Brain Science Advances. 2021;7(3):155-162. doi:10.26599/BSA.2021.9050010Panda S, Gourie-Devi M, Sharma A.Sleep disorders in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a questionnaire-based study from India.Neurol India. 2018;66(3):700. doi:10.4103/0028-3886.232327Ullah A, Alani M, Chaudry O, et al.The relationship between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinson’s disease and sleep disorders: pathophysiological and clinical approach.Updates in Sleep Neurology and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. IntechOpen; 2021. doi:10.5772/intechopen.98934Boentert M.Sleep disturbances in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: current perspectives.NSS. doi:10.2147/NSS.S183504Liu S, Shen D, Tai H, et al.Restless legs syndrome in chinese patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Front Neurol.2018;0. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00735Boentert M.Sleep and sleep disruption in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2020;20(7):25. doi:10.1007/s11910-020-01047-1National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS).National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) fact sheet.MedlinePlus.Muscle cramps.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tips for better sleep.Massachusetts General Hospital.Symptom management for ALS.Additional ReadingMuscular Dystrophy Association.One good turn.National Institutes of Health.Good sleep for good health.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Murala S, Katyal N, Narula N, et al.Sleep disorders in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.RRNMF Neuromuscular Journal. 2021;2(4). doi:10.17161/rrnmf.v2i4.15293Cai Q, Li M, Li Q.Sleep‐based therapy: a new treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Brain Science Advances. 2021;7(3):155-162. doi:10.26599/BSA.2021.9050010Panda S, Gourie-Devi M, Sharma A.Sleep disorders in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a questionnaire-based study from India.Neurol India. 2018;66(3):700. doi:10.4103/0028-3886.232327Ullah A, Alani M, Chaudry O, et al.The relationship between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinson’s disease and sleep disorders: pathophysiological and clinical approach.Updates in Sleep Neurology and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. IntechOpen; 2021. doi:10.5772/intechopen.98934Boentert M.Sleep disturbances in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: current perspectives.NSS. doi:10.2147/NSS.S183504Liu S, Shen D, Tai H, et al.Restless legs syndrome in chinese patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Front Neurol.2018;0. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00735Boentert M.Sleep and sleep disruption in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2020;20(7):25. doi:10.1007/s11910-020-01047-1National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS).National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) fact sheet.MedlinePlus.Muscle cramps.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tips for better sleep.Massachusetts General Hospital.Symptom management for ALS.Additional ReadingMuscular Dystrophy Association.One good turn.National Institutes of Health.Good sleep for good health.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Murala S, Katyal N, Narula N, et al.Sleep disorders in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.RRNMF Neuromuscular Journal. 2021;2(4). doi:10.17161/rrnmf.v2i4.15293Cai Q, Li M, Li Q.Sleep‐based therapy: a new treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Brain Science Advances. 2021;7(3):155-162. doi:10.26599/BSA.2021.9050010Panda S, Gourie-Devi M, Sharma A.Sleep disorders in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a questionnaire-based study from India.Neurol India. 2018;66(3):700. doi:10.4103/0028-3886.232327Ullah A, Alani M, Chaudry O, et al.The relationship between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinson’s disease and sleep disorders: pathophysiological and clinical approach.Updates in Sleep Neurology and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. IntechOpen; 2021. doi:10.5772/intechopen.98934Boentert M.Sleep disturbances in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: current perspectives.NSS. doi:10.2147/NSS.S183504Liu S, Shen D, Tai H, et al.Restless legs syndrome in chinese patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Front Neurol.2018;0. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00735Boentert M.Sleep and sleep disruption in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2020;20(7):25. doi:10.1007/s11910-020-01047-1National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS).National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) fact sheet.MedlinePlus.Muscle cramps.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tips for better sleep.Massachusetts General Hospital.Symptom management for ALS.
Murala S, Katyal N, Narula N, et al.Sleep disorders in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.RRNMF Neuromuscular Journal. 2021;2(4). doi:10.17161/rrnmf.v2i4.15293
Cai Q, Li M, Li Q.Sleep‐based therapy: a new treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Brain Science Advances. 2021;7(3):155-162. doi:10.26599/BSA.2021.9050010
Panda S, Gourie-Devi M, Sharma A.Sleep disorders in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a questionnaire-based study from India.Neurol India. 2018;66(3):700. doi:10.4103/0028-3886.232327
Ullah A, Alani M, Chaudry O, et al.The relationship between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinson’s disease and sleep disorders: pathophysiological and clinical approach.Updates in Sleep Neurology and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. IntechOpen; 2021. doi:10.5772/intechopen.98934
Boentert M.Sleep disturbances in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: current perspectives.NSS. doi:10.2147/NSS.S183504
Liu S, Shen D, Tai H, et al.Restless legs syndrome in chinese patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Front Neurol.2018;0. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00735
Boentert M.Sleep and sleep disruption in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2020;20(7):25. doi:10.1007/s11910-020-01047-1
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS).
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) fact sheet.
MedlinePlus.Muscle cramps.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tips for better sleep.
Massachusetts General Hospital.Symptom management for ALS.
Muscular Dystrophy Association.One good turn.National Institutes of Health.Good sleep for good health.
Muscular Dystrophy Association.One good turn.
National Institutes of Health.Good sleep for good health.
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