Sleep and fatigue
Sleep
Some people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) find that they have trouble sleeping, possibly because one of their symptoms (e.g., pain, stiffness or anxiety) makes it difficult to feel restful. Alternatively, sleep may be affected by a PD medication, or the changes in the brain that happen during PD itself.
It is very important for a person with PD to have enough sleep, as it can help to improve some symptoms, as well as benefiting health in general. The technical term for this is ‘sleep benefit’. See the section on ‘Healthy sleep’ for more information on how sleep can help in daily life with PD.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a physical and/or mental exhaustion that is very common in PD. It may be one of the first symptoms to appear.
Fatigue can be caused by one or more factors, including medications, the extra effort of managing PD symptoms, disturbed sleep, or depression. However, in most cases, fatigue is caused directly by the chemical changes in the brain that occur in PD.
It is important to identify the cause of fatigue. For example, if fatigue is associated with depression, then the depression should be treated; if it is caused by sleeping problems, then they should be assessed and treated. Fatigue that is caused directly by PD may be treated with PD medication.
Aside from treatment with medication, coping methods for fatigue include:
- allowing more time to complete daily activities
- learning to recognise times when fatigue is reduced
- ensuring that the daily diet is balanced, providing energy, and avoiding constipation (which can cause tiredness)
- using assistive devices, e.g., dressing aids, remote controls, which make daily activities less tiring
- taking regular gentle exercise to keep muscles active