Arthritis Overnight Pain

Arthritis affects literally millions of sufferers in the United States alone. The nocturnal hours can prove particularly challenging as the pain seems to worsen at bedtime and throughout the night.

Identification

• Arthritis results from the wearing away of the protective covering of the bones in the joints, causing inflammation, pain and eventual damage to the bone itself.

Time Frame

• Arthritis can occur over a lifetime and be slow, or it can be an acute disease---such as rheumatoid arthritis---that can be very aggressive. It usually affects the elderly, but, depending on circumstances, can affect younger people as well.

Effects

• The pain caused by arthritis can become significant at night, when a person is trying to rest after a long day using the affected joint or joints. As the body relaxes and natural endorphins recede, the pain becomes more noticeable.

Treatments

• Take some type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication about an hour before bed. This will help alleviate some of the pain from inflammation and help you relax. Keep an extra blanket on the bed to keep your affected joints warm; a heating pad can also be helpful.

  If nothing else relieves the pain, consult your doctor about medications that can help ease your symptoms and promote sleep.

Routine

• Maintain a routine when trying to establish a sleep pattern. Try to go to bed at the same time each night. Avoid exercise three hours before bedtime. Take the NSAID medication and apply heat before turning in for the evening.