Why Does Peripheral Neuropathy Get Worse At Night?

When you’re living with peripheral neuropathy, it has undoubtedly been a while since you’ve gotten a peaceful night of sleep. It’s so easy to become aware of your surroundings when you’re trying to fall asleep. It’s you and your thoughts (and your bed). It’s easy to notice the pain when you have nothing else distracting you. At Well Being Neuropathy Relief Center in Roseville, Dr. Brian Van Wagenen, DCBCN treats patients with nerve pain caused by diabetes and other conditions, which can help them when it comes to their sleep routine. Symptoms commonly range from tingling or numbness in a certain body part to more serious effects such as burning pain or paralysis. They can also include:

• Muscle weakness
• Cramps
• Emotional disturbances
• Sleep disruptions

If someone has not dealt with peripheral neuropathy they have no idea what dealing with the pain feels like because they don’t realize that the pain felt at night is more than just pain; it can truly change in intensity at night. Lack of sleep and living with this pain can sometimes be unbearable. On top of simply just lying down and feeling the pain, there are many other reasons why you might not be getting enough sleep. One reason might be because of the fact that pain increases when you are resting because your nerves have become irritated from movement you’ve done during the day. This could be a good argument, especially because many people with diabetic nerve pain, other types of neuropathy, and even arthritis, find that their pain decreases getting a night of rest.

According to the Loma Linda University Neuropathic Therapy Center, another reason you could be experiencing pain at night is because of the temperature change. When you have damaged nerves, your brain may interpret the change in colder temperature to feelings of tingling, sharp or burning pain. Cold temperatures also tend to make your heart beat slower, which causes blood flow to move slower and makes it harder for you to warm your body up.

Here are some suggestions from the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy that can help you manage your peripheral neuropathy:

• Take care of your feet (especially if you have diabetes) and look out for signs of blisters, cuts, or calluses. Also, try to wear shoes and socks that are not too tight because it can make the pain and tingling worse.
• Quick smoking cigarettes because they can negatively affect your circulation, which can, in turn, increase the risk of foot problems.
• Eating healthy is important if you are especially at high risk of neuropathy or have a chronic medical condition.
• Massage can help improve circulation, stimulate your nerves, and temporarily relieve pain.
• Avoid things like keeping your knees crossed or leaning on your elbows, since this prolonged pressure may cause new nerve damage.