Gina Johnson
Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating psychological and physical processes, and poor sleep can worsen health issues. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted daily routines, leading to heightened stress and depression, which are risk factors for sleep disorders. Studies show that COVID-19 patients experience sleep problems, with symptoms like insomnia, early awakening, and difficulty falling asleep. Additionally, physical discomforts associated with COVID-19, such as cough, fever, pain, and dyspnea, can further disturb sleep. Sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing difficulties during sleep, poses additional risks for COVID-19 patients, and resting in an elevated position can help keep airways clear. Addressing sleep issues is essential for improving overall health and immune response, especially during the pandemic.
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What You'll Learn
Sleep apnea and Covid-19
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can cause breathing to stop and start throughout sleep. It can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, tiredness, daytime sleepiness, snoring, cognitive and behavioural problems, attention issues, mouth breathing, parasomnias, bedwetting, and weight fluctuations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted daily routines and increased stress and depression, which are both symptoms and causes of sleep disorders. Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating psychological and physical processes, and poor sleep can worsen health consequences. Studies have shown that COVID-19 patients experience a high prevalence of sleep disturbances, ranging from 33.3% to 84.7%. Sleep disorders may negatively impact the process, prognosis, and rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been identified as a risk factor for developing severe COVID-19 that requires hospitalization. In a meta-analysis of 15,835 patients with COVID-19, those with OSA were more than twice as likely to be hospitalized. However, the CDC does not list sleep apnea as a condition that increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
If you have sleep apnea and are using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, it is essential to consult a sleep physician about proper usage and cleaning techniques. Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 spreads mainly through close contact and respiratory droplets. There is some concern that using a CPAP machine could spread the virus through the exhalation port, releasing smaller virus-containing particles that can remain suspended in the air. Therefore, it is recommended to sleep alone in a separate bedroom if you have COVID-19 and use a CPAP machine.
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Sleep disturbances in hospitalised Covid-19 patients
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on sleep patterns, with the stress and panic associated with the pandemic contributing to insomnia and other sleep disorders. Sleep disturbances are common in patients with COVID-19, with studies reporting a prevalence ranging from 33.3% to 84.7% in hospitalised patients. The loss of daily routines and increased social isolation during the pandemic have also contributed to higher stress levels, further disrupting sleep.
Several factors contribute to sleep disturbances in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Firstly, the physical symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough, fever, pain, and dyspnoea, can make it difficult for patients to get comfortable and sleep well. Additionally, the adverse effects of medications, such as corticosteroids and sedatives, can disrupt sleep patterns when not properly timed to fit patients' circadian rhythms. Furthermore, the anxiety and depression associated with COVID-19 can also lead to sleep disturbances, with mental health playing a significant role in sleep quality.
The duration of hospitalisation for COVID-19 patients is often longer for those experiencing poor sleep quality. This suggests that improving sleep quality can reduce the length of hospital stays and intensive care unit admissions. Studies have shown that hospitalised patients with COVID-19 who experienced sleep disturbances had higher depression rates and longer hospital stays. Additionally, the phenomenon of "coronasomnia" has been observed, which includes insufficient sleep, poor sleep quality, insomnia, sleep apnoea, and disturbances in sleep-wake schedules linked to COVID-19 stress.
Addressing sleep disturbances in hospitalised COVID-19 patients is crucial for their overall health and recovery. Sleep plays a vital role in regulating psychological and physical processes, and poor sleep can exacerbate existing health issues. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate sleep hygiene and improve sleep quality as part of the rehabilitative process for COVID-19 patients. This may include maintaining consistent sleep schedules, limiting screen time before bed, and seeking professional help for underlying sleep disorders.
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Covid-19 and insomnia
The COVID-19 pandemic has interfered with sleep for many people, with around 40% reporting sleep difficulties during the pandemic and 36% experiencing insomnia during the first wave. Sleep problems are also a long-term issue, with up to 31% of people with long COVID experiencing disrupted sleep. Sleep disturbance may be associated with the adverse health consequences of COVID-19 patients. Studies have shown that COVID-19 patients who suffered from sleep disturbance for at least 2 weeks during hospitalization presented with a slower recovery from lymphopenia, an increase in the deterioration of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, a higher incidence of hospital-acquired infection, longer hospitalization, and an increased need for ICU care.
Several factors have been identified as high-risk factors for insomnia among COVID-19 survivors, such as being female, younger age, higher employment, and education status. Research has also demonstrated that poor mental health is closely tied to inadequate sleep conditions. Patients infected with COVID-19 are at risk of developing anxiety and depression due to the severity and isolation of the disease. Additionally, chronic diseases such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can impact the development of neurocognitive impairment and abnormal functional pulmonary changes that persist up to a year after COVID-19 recovery.
The pandemic has also led to elevated levels of isolation, which can negatively impact emotional health and sleep. Stress and worries about personal health, family, work, and finances have increased during the pandemic, and these factors can trigger sleep problems, including insomnia. Disrupted routines and the loss of daily routines during the pandemic have also made it difficult to maintain normal sleep schedules, disrupting the body's internal clock or circadian rhythm and creating a higher risk of sleep disruptions.
To improve sleep during the pandemic, it is important to maintain a consistent sleep schedule and limit screen time before bedtime. It is also recommended to avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms such as excessive alcohol consumption, which can negatively impact sleep in the long run. For those with sleep apnea, resting in an elevated position can help keep airways clear and improve sleep quality.
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Impact of other Covid-19 symptoms on sleep
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on sleep patterns. Sleep disturbance during the pandemic has been prevalent, with studies reporting a range of 17.65% to 84.7% of people experiencing sleep issues. This is due to various factors, including stress, anxiety, depression, and the loss of daily routines. The pandemic has also led to elevated levels of isolation, which has heightened stress and depression, further impacting sleep.
Physical symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough, fever, pain, and dyspnea, can also disrupt sleep. In addition, the use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids and sedatives, can create and exacerbate sleep problems in COVID-19 patients. The timing of medication administration, or chronotherapy, should be considered to minimize side effects on sleep.
Long COVID, which affects 10-30% of people who contract the virus, can also cause sleep disturbances. Neurocognitive symptoms, including fatigue, impaired decision-making, memory loss, and brain fog, can disrupt sleep patterns. Dysautonomia, a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, can cause rapid heart rate, fainting, and dizziness, further impacting sleep quality.
Sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing to stop and start during sleep, can be dangerous for COVID-19 patients. Resting in an elevated position can help keep airways clear and improve sleep quality for those with sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often linked to being overweight, and the condition can create a vicious cycle of poor sleep and weight gain.
The pandemic has also disrupted the sleep patterns of children, with anxiety, stress, and schedule disruptions contributing to sleep issues. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and limiting screen time before bed can help improve sleep for both children and adults.
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Tips for better sleep during Covid-19
Sleep plays an essential role in regulating psychological and physical processes. Poor sleep and sleep disturbances can interact with psychological and physical disorders, worsening health consequences among populations. COVID-19 can cause sleep issues such as insomnia, early awakening, and difficulty falling asleep. Here are some tips for better sleep during COVID-19:
Reestablish routines
COVID-19 has disrupted many day-to-day routines that govern sleep, work, and social life. Establishing new routines can help fill the day with cues to promote a stable sleep-wake schedule and make it easier to fall asleep. Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends or non-work days.
Prioritize natural light exposure
Exposure to natural light during the day, especially in the morning, is a key driver of a healthy circadian rhythm. Getting 30 minutes or more of daylight can promote healthier sleep at night.
Stay physically active
Daily exercise is linked to better sleep and improved mental health. Regular physical activity can be a strategy to support better sleep, although not every tip works for everyone, so you may need to try different approaches.
Keep a sleep diary
A sleep diary can help track information about sleep timing, quality, and factors influencing nightly rest. This can be a useful tool to identify patterns and make improvements.
Manage stress and anxiety
Elevated levels of stress and anxiety are common during COVID-19 due to isolation, disrupted routines, and uncertainty. These factors can contribute to sleep disturbances. Finding healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation or social connection, may improve sleep.
Sleep in an elevated position
Resting in an elevated position can help keep airways clear, which may be beneficial for those with COVID-19 and sleep apnea or breathing difficulties. Using pillows designed for people with sleep apnea may also improve sleep quality.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is better to sleep in an elevated position when you have COVID-19. This is because sleeping in an elevated position can help to keep your airways clear.
Sleep plays an essential role in regulating psychological and physical processes. Poor sleep can worsen health consequences and negatively impact your immune system, making it harder to fight off the respiratory virus.
There are several ways to improve your sleep when you have COVID-19:
- Establish a sleep routine and stick to a consistent sleep schedule.
- Limit screen time, especially a few hours before bedtime.
- Get exposure to natural light during the day, ideally for 30 minutes in the morning.
- Stay physically active—daily exercise is linked to better sleep.
