Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesInsomnia TypesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Insomnia Types
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Onestudy reported that prevalence of insomnia in participants with MS was four times higher than the national average at about 66.45%. Moreover 41.45% presented with daytime sleepiness as well.
Still, these sleep concerns are grossly underdiagnosed in people with MS. It’s important for you totalk to your neurologistabout any sleep problems you have.
This article will explore the links between MS and insomnia, as well as how to get better sleep.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Causes of Insomnia in MS
Research suggests uncontrolled or worseningMS symptomscombined with anxiety and depression were largely to blame for the insomnia rates reported in studies.
Other contributing factors to sleep disturbances in MS include:
Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
There are three different types of insomnia. Each affects a different phase of sleep and has different MS-related causes.
Initial Insomnia
Middle Insomnia
Middle insomnia is when you awaken during the night and cannot fall back asleep. Ironically, people with higher daytime fatigue are more likely to experience middle insomnia. Other MS-related symptoms such asmuscle spasmsandnocturia(the urge to urinate at night) can also cause this effect.
Terminal Insomnia
Terminal insomnia is simply waking up too early. The cause of terminal insomnia in people with MS is not well understood, but insufficient exposure to daylight has been linked to poor sleep outcomes in the general population. It’s safe to say this would also be true among MS patients.
Diagnosis of Insomnia
There is no definitive test for insomnia. Healthcare providers use many different tools to diagnose and measure insomnia symptoms, including:
How to Use a Sleep Log for Insomnia
Insomnia Treatment
As a first step, your healthcare provider should make sure the MS symptoms that may be contributing to your sleep problems are addressed—such as urinary problems or restless legs syndrome.
While many people considersleeping pillsto be the first-line treatment of choice for insomnia, sleep medications have their downsides and limitations. All in all, while they may offer benefits over the short term, the drugs tend to lose their effectiveness quickly and are potentially addictive.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI)is a drug-free alternative that is often turned to as a first-line treatment for insomnia. Among its benefits, it may help train your brain to associate your bed with sleep, not wakefulness.
Lifestyle Changes
Beyond these types of medical interventions, there are things you and your healthcare provider can do to address sleep-related disorders (and these apply regardless of whether or not someone has MS):
How Getting Sunlight in the Morning Can Help You Sleep Better
A Word From Verywell
If you are having sleeping difficulties and have tried simple measures like the ones mentioned above without much relief, be sure to talk with your neurologist. Together, you may be able to find the culprit behind your sleep problems. In some cases, your healthcare provider will refer you to a sleep specialist for proper treatment.
Finding a Sleep Specialist
It isn’t always, but insomnia can be related to neurological issues and it’s closely related to many neurological diseases, like MS, stroke, epilepsy, and dementia.
Neurologists have the best understanding of how neurological disease impacts insomnia and how to treat both conditions. Many sleep specialists become neurologists first, then get certified in sleep medicine.
11 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.
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