Pain & Sleepless Nights: What You Need to Know

Pain and sleep deprivation are often best buddies. It’s very hard to sleep when in extreme discomfort. Likewise, a lack of rest can prevent the body from healing or focusing properly, thus prolonging the issue. Treating these conditions together can be a challenge, but it is possible.

 Many patients with mild discomfort will browse the medicine cabinet for a NSAID like aspirin or ibuprofen. Others with more intense pain, however, may require a strong painkiller. Taking one of these stronger solutions before bedtime will bring the user temporary relief, allowing them to fall asleep more peacefully.

Acute Pain

Acute pain occurs suddenly, but the agony is only temporary. It can be caused by a surgery or an injury. Tooth and headaches also fall into this category. Some other examples include broken bones, sore throat, post op pain, and pain from trauma like a car accident. The discomfort usually goes away when the wound is healed. Typically, the pain is resolved within 3 months. 

Severe discomfort keeps the nervous system more active than usual, resulting in a lack of good sleep. Depending on the level of pain, it may be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers or stronger prescription drugs for more severe agony.

Chronic Aches

Chronic means long-term pain that lasts longer than 3 months. Unlike acute discomfort, it doesn’t have a clear source and is often the result of illness, like arthritis, back pain, and neuropathic conditions. Around 8 million adults in the UK suffer from moderate to extremely disabling levels of chronic agony. This can make it hard to fall asleep and remain that way throughout the night.  

Studies suggest 50% of those suffering from chronic discomfort are accompanied by pain-induced insomnia. It’s recommended for patients with this condition to manage it with a multifaceted approach. A combination of medication and physical therapy can improve discomfort.  Improving sleep hygiene with a nightly routine and a comfortable sleeping environment will help patients have an easier time resting through the night. 

 Insomnia and Its Consequences 

Insomnia, also known as sleep deprivation is an extremely prevalent sleeping disorder in the United Kingdom, effecting around 1 in 3 people according to NHS. Research done by the American Academy of Pain Medicine has shown that patients with both chronic pain and insomnia may experience more severe pain for a longer period of time than those who get a full 7 to 9 hours of rest. They also are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and poor health. 

Insomnia on its own can be damaging enough. When the body is at rest the brain takes the opportunity to clean house by flushing out free radicles that can be detrimental to an individual’s health. These unstable particles can accelerate aging, compromise the immune system and even cause cancer. 

Options for Temporary Relief

There are different kinds of strong painkiller tablets that can be given depending on the level of pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, are the most common household relievers. They can be purchased over the counter to treat mild pain. Some pills, such as ibuprofen, can be taken long term on upon the guidance of a doctor, but otherwise, daily use should be limited to 2 weeks for adults.

For moderate pain, patients may buy co codamol online or at the pharmacy. It contains two medications, containing the NSAID paracetamol and the opioid codeine. Lower doses are available over the counter, but the higher doses are usually prescribed. This dual-action can be used when common pain relievers aren’t cutting it.

Identifying Pain Levels

It’s challenging for many people to express how much or how little pain they are feeling. At the doctor’s office, many are asked what their pain is on a scale of 1 to 10. This ambiguous method often leaves patients confused on the appropriate number to choose. Since pain is subjective, it’s hard to express it to another person, even a doctor. Understanding the numbers on the pain scale will help with this. 

1-3 is mild pain which is annoying but doesn’t affect daily living. Think along the lines of a bruise or paper cut. 4-6 is moderate pain which significantly impacts the patient’s life, and can make it hard to concentrate. Toothaches, and migraines often fit into this category. 7-10 what is considered severe pain. This is when the sensation completely dominates the senses, making it hard to sleep, do daily tasks or maintain relationships.

Lifestyle Changes for Beating Pain

Chronic pain can trigger a vicious cycle. Insomnia can make the sensation worse, while pain itself is usually what is disrupting the sleep. Conversely, taking steps to get better rest at night has been shown to reduce pain. Patients can start by cleaning up their sleep hygiene. 

Try going to bed and waking up consistently every day. Be sure the environment is dark, quiet and comfortable. It’s also best to avoid stimulants like coffee and alcohol that can also lower sleep.

Individuals should also address the cause of the discomfort at the same time.  Breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation can promote better sleep and help manage pain. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can also be helpful in handling negative beliefs surrounding pain. 

The Role of Online Pharmacies

Traditional pharmacies can be cumbersome to deal with, especially when tired and in pain. Patients have to go through the rigmarole of obtaining a prescription and visiting the drug store during open hours in order to get a strong painkiller. On top of that, these establishments typically push the sales of expensive name brand drugs. Modern ecommerce has fixed these problems, making obtaining medication cheaper, and more convenient.Digital pharmacies make it easy to buy co codamol online with no prescription or consultation required. They stock a variety high quality generics at a fraction of the cost of name brand drugs. There are also discounts available for buying in bulk. Products are sent quickly and discreetly. After pay confirmation, customers can expect their non-descript package at their UK doorstep within 2-4 days.