Sleep quality in cancer patients

A high percentage of patients in the advanced stages of cancer complain about insomnia.

Sleep disturbance is an equal opportunity problem: there is no significant difference among patients of different ages or races. There is no significant difference related to type of treatment or location (hospice, hospital), although the use of analgesic drugs do affect sleep quality.

Studies have reported that about half of cancer patients suffer from sleep disturbances. The causes include pain, treatment side effects, and psychological causes such as worry.

Some pain relievers have the side effect of inducing sleep, but this side effect has both benefits and downsides in insomniac patients. While the opioids can help the very tired person get to sleep, their use often disrupts the circadian rhythm and contributes to daytime sedation and longer-term sleepiness. Other medications are sometimes used to treat only the sleepiness, but the sedating side effects of any opioid analgesics given must be considered by the medical team.

**For a FREE information packet including treatments, clinical trials, and specialists, please complete the form above or call a Mesothelioma Web coordinator at 1-877-367-6376.

News

Resources

If you would like to receive a FREE information packet or have questions about mesothelioma, call us at:

Toll-Free 1-877-367-6376