Miya Pearson
Sleep disturbances are a common problem among those undergoing cancer treatment, with steroids, anti-sickness drugs, and changes in hormone levels all potentially causing insomnia. While sleeping pills can be taken to treat insomnia, they are usually recommended for a short period, as they can be habit-forming and have side effects. Before taking sleeping pills, doctors often suggest adopting healthy sleep habits, such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and creating a relaxing sleep environment. In the context of cancer treatment, insomnia can be challenging to treat due to potential interactions with medications and multiple factors driving different types of insomnia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prevalence of sleeping pill use among cancer patients | 25.7% of cancer patients self-reported sleeping pill use, compared to 29% of women in the general population and 28-37% of cancer patients. |
| Factors associated with sleeping pill use | Female gender, age (70+), Eastern European place of birth, concomitant use of painkillers, and presence of cardiovascular disease |
| Side effects of sleeping pills | Morning sleepiness, loss of memory, impaired balance, increased risk of falling, sleepwalking, sleep-related eating |
| Side effects of cancer treatment | Steroids can cause sleep disturbance; anti-sickness drugs can cause restlessness; hormone drugs can cause hot flushes and sweats; radiotherapy side effects vary depending on the location |
| Alternative treatments | CBT, counseling, muscle relaxation, biofeedback, imagery, hypnosis, thought stopping, melatonin supplements, prescription sedatives/hypnotics, OTC analgesics |
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What You'll Learn
Potential side effects of sleeping pills
Sleep disturbances are a common problem among those undergoing cancer treatment. While sleeping pills can help with insomnia, they should only be taken for a short period of time as they can have side effects and be habit-forming. Doctors often recommend other ways to treat insomnia before prescribing sleeping pills.
- Daytime drowsiness, dizziness, and balance problems that can negatively impact your ability to drive, work, or complete daily tasks.
- Digestive problems, including constipation, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, and nausea.
- Worsening of snoring and sleep apnea.
- Muscle weakness.
- Memory issues and confusion, especially in older adults, which can increase the risk of falls and injuries.
- Burning or tingling sensation in the hands, arms, feet, or legs.
- Dry mouth.
- Difficulty urinating.
- Interference with normal breathing, which can be dangerous for people with asthma, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Dependence and tolerance: With prolonged use, your body may become dependent on sleeping pills, and you may need higher doses to achieve the same effect.
- Rebound insomnia: When you stop taking sleeping pills, your insomnia may return worse than before.
- Parasomnia: Some prescription sleep medicines may cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder where individuals engage in dangerous behaviors while mostly asleep, such as sleepwalking, eating, or driving.
It is important to note that not everyone experiences all of these side effects, and they vary depending on the type of sleeping pill and the individual's health condition. Always consult your doctor before taking any sleep medication to ensure it is safe for you.
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Alternative treatments for insomnia
Insomnia is a common issue for cancer patients, with about 30 to 50 percent of people diagnosed with cancer experiencing severe sleep difficulties. This can be due to the cancer itself or as a side effect of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, steroids, and targeted cancer drugs.
If you are experiencing insomnia during chemotherapy, there are several alternative treatments to sleeping pills that you can try:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This therapy teaches you how to control your thoughts and emotions to calm your body and mind, helping you relax and fall asleep. A specific type of CBT for insomnia, called CBT-I, is available and may be recommended by your doctor.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Mindfulness meditation can be practiced anywhere and at any time and does not require any tools. Relaxation techniques such as guided imagery, muscle relaxation, and hypnosis may also help you fall asleep. Free resources for these techniques are available online.
- Sleep Hygiene: Maintaining good sleep hygiene involves having a good sleep routine and avoiding heavy meals, spicy foods, sugary items, and caffeine close to bedtime. You should also limit screen time before bed, as the blue light from electronic devices can interfere with sleep.
- Pain Management: Uncontrolled pain can impact your sleep. Speak with your care team about creating a pain management plan to help improve your sleep.
- Acupuncture and Reflexology: These complementary therapies have shown mixed results in helping with insomnia in cancer patients. However, they may be worth trying to see if they help you relax and improve your sleep.
It is important to discuss any sleep issues with your doctor or specialist nurse, as they can help identify the cause of your insomnia and work out a treatment plan. They may recommend counselling, prescribe temporary sleep aids, or refer you to a sleep specialist.
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The relationship between sleeping pills and quality of life
Sleep disturbances are a common problem among those undergoing cancer treatment. Steroids, anti-sickness drugs, and certain hormone drugs can all cause sleep problems. Sleep issues can also arise from the emotional distress caused by a cancer diagnosis, such as worry and anxiety.
Sleeping pills are prescription medications that contain tranquilizers to treat insomnia, restless sleep, or difficulty falling asleep. While they can help people fall asleep and relieve stress and anxiety, they also carry risks and side effects. Sleeping pills can be addictive, and long-term use can lead to dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. They may also cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder where individuals may engage in dangerous behaviors while appearing awake but with an unalert brain. Additionally, mixing sleeping pills with alcohol or other medications can lead to a deadly overdose.
To improve sleep quality and overall quality of life, it is essential to address the root causes of insomnia and practice good sleep hygiene. This includes creating a sleep schedule, maintaining a comfortable sleep environment, and limiting distractions and noise. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and muscle relaxation can also aid in improving sleep quality. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is another effective tool to improve sleep and address negative thought patterns that may be impacting sleep.
For individuals undergoing cancer treatment, integrative therapies such as muscle relaxation, biofeedback, imagery, hypnosis, and thought stopping can be beneficial. It is crucial to work with a healthcare team to identify and modify behaviors that contribute to insomnia. While sleeping pills may provide temporary relief, they do not eliminate the underlying causes of sleep disturbances. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that includes behavioral changes, stress management, and, if necessary, short-term use of sleeping pills under medical supervision, is ideal for improving sleep quality and overall quality of life.
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The most common sleep aids used during chemotherapy
Sleep disturbances are a common problem among those undergoing cancer treatment. Insomnia during chemotherapy involves difficulties with falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up earlier than desired.
- Prescription sedatives/hypnotics: These are the most frequently used sleep aids, but they should be used with caution as they can be habit-forming. They include medications such as antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and melatonin receptor agonists.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics: These include medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and acetaminophen with diphenhydramine (Tylenol PM).
- Herbal supplements: These are used less frequently, but some people find them helpful. However, drug-herb interactions may occur between chemotherapy and herbal sleep aids.
- Alcohol: Some people use alcohol as a sleep aid, but it is generally not recommended as it can affect sleep quality.
- Psychotropic medications: These are often prescribed to reduce psychological distress, sleep disorders, and nausea/vomiting associated with chemotherapy. They include antipsychotic agents and hypnotics.
It is important to note that sleep aids can have side effects and should only be used under medical supervision. Non-medical sleep aids, such as improving sleep hygiene, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques, are often recommended as the first line of treatment for insomnia during chemotherapy.
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The risks of taking sleeping pills while on chemo
Sleep disturbances are a common problem among those undergoing cancer treatment, with insomnia being a side effect of both the disease and its treatments. While sleeping pills can be used to treat insomnia, there are several risks associated with their use during chemotherapy.
Firstly, sleeping pills can have side effects such as morning sleepiness, memory loss, impaired balance, and an increased risk of falling, which can lead to injuries like hip fractures. They can also cause complex sleep-related behaviours such as sleepwalking or sleep-related eating. Additionally, sleeping pills can be habit-forming, and it is possible to develop a tolerance or become dependent on them over time. This can lead to a need for higher doses to achieve the same effect, which may further increase the risk of adverse side effects.
Secondly, traditional sleep medications may interact with cancer treatments, reducing their effectiveness or altering their impact on the body. This is particularly true for steroids, which are commonly used in chemotherapy and can cause sleep disturbances when taken at night. Other cancer medications, such as anti-sickness drugs, can also impact sleep, and it is important to consider these interactions when managing insomnia during chemotherapy.
Furthermore, the use of sleeping pills has been associated with a poorer quality of life among cancer patients. Studies have shown that users of sleeping pills or tranquilizers report increased severity of symptoms, including fatigue, insomnia, pain, dyspnea, and constipation, compared to non-users. This suggests that while sleeping pills may provide short-term relief from insomnia, they may negatively impact overall well-being and quality of life, particularly when used long-term.
Finally, it is important to address the underlying causes of insomnia rather than solely relying on sleeping pills. Cancer patients may experience sleep disturbances due to various factors, including stress, anxiety, depression, and side effects of treatment. By addressing these underlying issues through counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, or other integrative therapies, patients can improve their sleep quality without solely relying on sleeping pills, reducing their exposure to potential risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Insomnia is a common side effect of chemotherapy, and it can be challenging to treat due to potential interactions with cancer treatments. Sleeping pills or tranquilizers are used by cancer patients, but they are associated with a poorer quality of life and increased severity of symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, pain, and constipation. Doctors often recommend other ways to treat insomnia before prescribing sleeping pills.
Doctors recommend adopting healthy sleep habits and promoting sleep hygiene. This includes maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, creating a relaxing sleep environment, and engaging in relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing. Cognitive behavioural therapy is the recommended treatment for chronic insomnia.
Sleeping pills can have side effects such as morning sleepiness, loss of memory, impaired balance, and an increased risk of falling. They can also be habit-forming, and it is possible to develop a tolerance or become dependent on them.
