Managing Sleep Problems
Sleep problems (sometimes called sleep disturbances or sleep-wake disturbances) can happen for many reasons, and people with cancer often have an increased risk for them.
Lab tests, such as a sleep study, might help find what might be causing your sleep problem. But most of the time, diagnosing a sleep problem depends on the patient reporting it.
Your doctor may give you a form or checklist to fill out about your sleep habits and problems. If not, here are some questions to think about when tracking your sleep patterns and writing down notes for your health care team:
- Do you have problems falling asleep?
- Do you have problems staying asleep?
- Do you wake up too early?
- How often do you wake up at night?
- Why do you think you're waking up? For example, are you having dreams or do you need to use the bathroom? Are you in pain? Do you need to get up to take medication at night? Do you often need to care for others at night?
- Do you wake up because you feel you're gasping for breath?
- Have other people said you snore or stop breathing when you sleep?
- What medication are you taking and when do you take it?
- What do you drink or eat in the few hours before going to bed? How late do you eat or drink in the evening?
- What activities are you doing during the day and then in the few hours before going to bed?
- How often do you nap? And for how long?
- Do you fall asleep in places other than bed?
- How often do you feel tired or sleepy during the day?
- Are you able to do your usual daily activities at work and home? If not, how are they affected?
Finding out the best way to manage a sleep problem can begin with how you describe it to your health care team. It's best to keep a sleep diary. This is useful for tracking your sleep patterns and writing down the specific problems you're having will help. Someone who lives with you can often help describe what happens when your sleep is disturbed.
Improving sleep
Because sleep problems in people with cancer usually have more than one cause, doctors, nurses, sleep specialists, social workers, therapists, pharmacists, dietitians and nutritionists, and a number of other professionals might be involved in helping manage them. You might hear this referred to as having a sleep hygiene plan. The best sleep hygiene plan for you might be different for someone else. Sometimes the plan includes some testing, lifestyle changes, medication changes, or techniques and therapies that help with relaxation.
Relaxation and exercise
If relaxing seems to be difficult, you might be able to learn about different relaxation techniques that can help. These are often called cognitive behavioral interventions. They might include breathing exercises, meditation, mindfulness, music, hypnosis, or guided imagery that can help you relax physically and mentally. These can help you learn ways that let you wind down, stay calm, fall asleep, stay asleep, and go back to sleep if you awaken during the night.
Exercise as a way to promote better sleep has been studied in people with cancer, and might be helpful.
It's important to talk to your health care team about whether these might be helpful for your situation, to find professionals who can help you learn these techniques.
Insomnia
Insomnia might be managed by adjusting lifestyle, activities, or medications.
Some medication or sleep aids can be used temporarily, whether they are prescribed by your doctor or over-the counter. But it's important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication or supplement that claims to be helpful for sleep and relaxation. More research is needed to understand how these medications can better help cancer patients, and if they are safe to take. Possible interactions may occur with these because of other medications, vitamins, or herbals you take. Some sleep aids your doctor might recommend or prescribe include:
- Zolpidem, Zolpidem CR (Ambien and other brands)
- Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
- Ramelteon (Rozerem)
- Temazepam (Restoril)
Restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) might be managed with different treatment or therapy options. Your doctor may check your iron or vitamin levels with a blood test to see if adding iron, B12, or folate in your diet may help. A therapist may help you with daily stretching exercises to help you relax your muscles. If needed, some common medicines your doctor might recommend or prescribe for RLS include:
- Iron
- Gabapentin (Neurontin and other brands) or gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant)
- Different types of pain relievers or opioids
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Sleep apnea
Your doctor may order a sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea. This study may require you to stay overnight at a sleep center. The sleep specialist at the center will monitor different sleep functions like heart rate, breathing, airflow, and oxygen blood levels.
A continuous positive airway pressure devise (CPAP) mask may be prescribed as a treatment. The mask is placed on your face, secured with elastic, and attaches to a machine that gently blows air to keep your throat and airway open while you sleep. It is usually recommended this mask be used every night during sleep.
Changes in daily diet or exercise may also help with sleep apnea. A dietitian, your doctor, or sleep specialist can help you start a plan that works for you.
What the patient can do
- Keep a sleep diary. You can track your sleep by writing down the time and patterns of your sleep and naps. Include anything special you might notice when you first wake up or if you remember anything that might be different from a usual routine. A person who is with you at home or during the night can help describe these too.
- Talk with your health care team if you' notice a change in sleeping patterns.
- Review your list of over-the-counter or prescribed medicines with your health care team. Different medications, sleeping pills, or pain relievers can affect sleep.
- Take your medications at the same time every day, and make sure your health care team knows the schedule for them.
- Talk to your doctor about a referral to a sleep specialist, if needed.
- Sleep as much as your body tells you to, but when you’re awake, try to limit nap time and try to exercise at least once a day. Talk to your health care team about an exercise plan that you can follow before, during, and after your cancer treatment.
- Avoid caffeine for at least 6 to 8 hours before bedtime – longer if it affects your sleep.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Try warm, caffeine-free drinks, such as warm milk or decaf tea, before sleep.
- Use a quiet setting for rest at the same time each day. Take short daytime naps if needed (less than an hour) to avoid interfering with nighttime sleep.
- Keep sheets clean, neatly tucked in, and as free from wrinkles as possible.
What caregivers can do
- Help keep the room quiet and comfortable during sleep.
- Help keep a sleep diary that records total sleep time, total nap time, quality of sleep, and side effects or other problems that may affect sleep each day.
- Offer gentle backrubs or foot massages near bedtime.
- Offer a light bedtime snack.
- Let the cancer team know if the patient seems to be confused during the night.
Call the cancer care team if the patient
- Is confused at night
- Is sleeping very little or can’t sleep at all at night
- Seems to stop breathing frequently while sleeping
- Written by
- References
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Abrahm, JL. Managing other distressing problems. In a Physician's Guide to Pain and Symptom Management in Cancer Patients. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press; 2014:476-478.
Erickson JM, Berger AM. Sleep-wake disturbances. In Brown CG, ed. A Guide to Oncology Symptom Management. 2nd ed. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society; 2015:623-647.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Palliative care. Version 2.2019. Accessed at https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/palliative.pdf on October 2, 2019.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Survivorship: Sleep disorders. Version 2.2019. Accessed at https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/survivorship.pdf on January 3, 2020.
Oncology Nursing Society (ONS). Symptom interventions: Sleep-wake disturbances. Accessed at https://www.ons.org/pep/sleep-wake-disturbances on October 2, 2019.
Last Revised: January 6, 2020
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
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