Q&A: How cancer caregivers can get better sleep

Sleep is essential to life. 

But restless nights are all too common for cancer caregivers, who may be experiencing stress or caring for a loved one who is also suffering from disrupted sleep. 

"Sleep deprivation negatively affects a person's health and quality of life," says Diwakar Balachandran, M.D., MD Anderson Sleep Center medical director. It can cause moodiness, memory troubles and problems focusing. Chronic sleep loss also may lead to weight gain, high blood pressure and a weakened immune system. As a caregiver, it's important to get enough sleep so you can care for your loved ones. A healthy lifestyle and simple behavior changes can do the trick. Balachandran answered some common questions on getting a better night's rest. 

How do you know if you are getting adequate sleep?  
Studies show people live the longest if they get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night. But some people may do well with less and some need more.

Ask yourself: "Do I feel rested when I awake?" And, "Do I feel alert during the day until it's time to go to bed?" If the answers to both questions are yes, you're probably getting enough sleep.

How does poor sleep affect health? 
Sleep affects every bodily system, the function of our cells and almost all our behaviors.  

Sleep deprivation causes mood changes, changes in appetite and difficulties with concentration, analytical skill and motor function. Chronic sleep loss causes more severe health problems, such as  reduced life spans and an increased risk of death due to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Reduced sleep also affects the immune system, which may make you more susceptible to infections.  

Sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, are associated with a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer and cancer related death.

What are the most common reasons people have problems falling asleep? 
Physical or mental strain commonly leads to insomnia, which is extreme difficulty falling asleep. If insomnia doesn't resolve quickly, it can often persist for a very long time.

Variable sleep times, inability to "shut off" all the ideas and chatter in your mind (or perhaps on the screen in front of you), medications and drugs (especially caffeine), and symptoms of disease such as pain, restless legs and nausea, are common reasons people have trouble falling asleep.  Many patients with depression or anxiety disorders also experience difficulty falling asleep.

What can people do to help them fall asleep and stay sleep?