Chronic pain and insomnia

Did you know that chronic pain and insomnia are two medical diagnoses that usually go together? 

Your pain may cause a disruption in your sleep or you may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. There are some tips that can help you get a better night’s sleep. Consuming certain foods in the evening can increase tryptophan levels in your body. Tryptophan is a type of protein that is essential to produce sleep-regulating hormone. Examples of sleep-promoting foods are rice, cherries, kiwis, milk, fatty fish, and shellfish. Taking a short walk in the evening can help you sleep better. Walking increases your body temperature. After the increase, your temperature then begins to drop which helps trigger your sleep cycle. Taking slow deep breaths calms the mind and helps alleviate pain and stress. Natural sleep aids that are available over the counter are an option to try after you speak with your medical provider. Examples would be chamomile tea, capsules of tart cherry extract, zinc, magnesium, and or melatonin.