Imagine this: one day you don’t feel very well and you go to the doctor. After what seems like an eternity of tests, in a monotone voice he tells you, “ I am sorry to inform you that you have cancer…â€
some of the side effects of the sometimes extremely aggressive treatments can cause people to end up with a devastating sleep deficiency. These side effects include: nausea, constipation, vomiting, skin problems, itchiness, fever, heart rhythm troubles, breathing troubles, and many others. However, the most important challenge is to keep anxiety and depression under control. Depression works in a spiral i.e. a depressed person will experience at some stage sleep problems, and sleep problems may end up producing depression.
It is essential that every physician in charge of treating patients diagnosed with cancer includes a thorough diagnostic of the sleep status of the patient. Including a physician specialising in sleep disorders in your team can only be of an immense advantage.
Does anyone out there have an experience to share with regard to cancer and sleep problems?
For more information please visit the Australian Sleep Association:
http://www.sleepaus.on.net/index.html
Be wise and have fun
Information provided in this blog is to be used for educational purposes only. It should NOT be used as a substitute for seeking professional diagnosis or treatment of any disorder.