Quote of the Day: "Man proposes, God disposes."

© ALL CREDIT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

Sleep issues are one of the most common complications of Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis. The large research website, UpToDate, noted that sleep disturbances could be impacting approximately 71% of Chronic Kidney Disease patients. Sleep is so important that even losing an hour or two a night can lead to a higher risk of serious complications like high blood pressure, Heart Disease (leading cause of death in the Chronic Kidney Disease Community), stroke, weak immune system, nervous system dysfunction, and memory loss. Sleeping pills are one of the more widely prescribed options to help Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients with this issue. However, sometimes the pills are not effective, and they have come under severe scrutiny after a British Medical Journal Online article suggested that some common sleeping pills were found to cause a four-fold increased risk of death—even for patients taking small doses. The following tips offered by Dr. Carl W. Bazil (Columbia University) may be perfect for Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients to get the good, comfortable night's rest that they deserve without dire risk:

1. If you are not sleepy, instead of tossing and turning, get up and try quiet, relaxing activities until you feel sleepy, then return to bed.

2. Non-caffeinated Chamomile Tea is a mild sedative that supports your nervous system and promotes restful sleep. It also aids digestion by reducing spasms after a meal, making it a fabulous post-dinner beverage. Just watch your fluid intake.

3. Avoid caffeine after noontime. This includes caffeinated coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate late in the day.

4. Eat foods like hard boiled eggs which contain an amino acid that promotes relaxation and sleep called, Tryptophan.

5. Try meditation in the hour before bedtime. If full meditation is too intense for you, then you can start small with ten deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth.

6. Go to sleep at about the same time each night, and wake up at the same time each morning.

7. Try not to nap after 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

8. A hot shower is a great way to unwind before bed.

In addition to Dr. Bazil’s tips, here are three more tailored thoughts from KidneyBuzz.com to help Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients get a heavenly sleep:

1. Create a space with no clutter and simple harmony.

2. Avoid doing over stimulating, frustrating or anxiety provoking activities in bed or in the bedroom such as watching television, studying your lab results, or balancing the checkbook. Try to turn off some of your stress by journaling the top three highlights from your day.

3. Exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, is good for both sleep and overall health but it can be difficult for Dialysis patients. Simply try to take a light walk or a stroll after dinner to help clear your mind and prepare your body for bed.

How do you get a good night's rest? Share your experience and insights with the over 44,000 Friends who have liked KidneyBuzz.com on Facebook (click here). Also, follow the over 115,000+ monthly individual viewers who visit KidneyBuzz.com regularly for the latest daily news and information which teach those with Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Diabetes, and Hypertension how to better manage and improve their lives. Erica Ashley Jenkins (Dialysis Nurse) said, "Hello I just wanted to let you know I work in a dialysis clinic and over half of our clinic reads this page, we enjoy everything you put on and love to have new information. My patients are a very grateful."