Myelin and Good Sleep

[pennstater]

Older article, but I found it interesting. I never really thought about the association. I need to get back into better sleep habits. 😴

https://multiplesclerosis.net/clinic...lin-good-sleep

[502E79]

Older article, but I found it interesting. I never really thought about the association. I need to get back into better sleep habits. 😴

https://multiplesclerosis.net/clinic...lin-good-sleep

Hi Kathy,

Thank you. Surprised that the article never mentioned the possibility that the location of myelin loss may result in insomnia !?

Jer

[palmtree]

That IS a good article. My primary care doctor told me the exact same thing when I was first diagnosed. I was grateful for her help. She prescribed me sleep medication to walk the walk.

if you can sleep anytime anywhere count yourself lucky. When you need sleep and can’t get it it isn’t any fun.

[pennstater]

Hi Kathy,

Thank you. Surprised that the article never mentioned the possibility that the location of myelin loss may result in insomnia !?

Jer

I never really thought about that aspect. Are there any research articles on that - lesion location and sleep?

It is a puzzle, as neuroplasticity properties of the brain should also eventually help you sleep better, but how do you improve sleep when it is not a conscious effort, like moving an arm or leg? Quite the riddle.

[pennstater]

That IS a good article. My primary care doctor told me the exact same thing when I was first diagnosed. I was grateful for her help. She prescribed me sleep medication to walk the walk.

if you can sleep anytime anywhere count yourself lucky. When you need sleep and can’t get it it isn’t any fun.

I go thru phases when I sleep well and other times, when I can't fall asleep and/or stay asleep. I should probably take something during the bad stretches. Thankfully, in a better sleep mode now.

[Seasha]

I never really thought about that aspect. Are there any research articles on that - lesion location and sleep?

Here's an article on sleep and lesion damage involved with sleep (and other important info about sleep disturbances and treatments):

Summary of MS Sleep ResearchResearch over the past decade has aimed to better understand the causes of sleep disturbance in MS. Possible mechanisms by which MS can impact sleep include:1.Lesions and neural damage to keybrain structures involved in sleep. The hypothalamus is a region of the brain responsible for many of the body’s essential hormones and physiological processes (e.g., hunger/thirst, temperature regulation, stress response). Lesions or damage to this area of the brain have been shown to cause hypersomnia and narcolepsy.The suprachiasmatic nucleus is a special region of the hypothalamus responsible for maintaining our 24-hour body clock.Lesions or damage to this area can make it difficult to maintain a consistent sleep-wake cycle.The brain stem is essential for regulating breathing and other autonomic (involuntary) nervous system functions during sleep, including maintaining paralysis during sleep so that we do not act out our dreams. Lesions or damage to this area can result in disrupted breathing during sleep (sleep apnea)and sleep behavior disorders.

https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Na...ughes_2016.pdf

[Mamabug]

Thanks, Kathy.

Here is a quote from the end of the article that summarizes a main point.

Prioritize sleep, as well as diet and exercise.

1. Diet and exercise are two of the three key pillars to good health, with sleep being the (often under-appreciated) third pillar. Making sleep a priority is hard, but like diet and exercise, it's worth the effort. Here are some ways to improve your quality and quantity of sleep so that you can give your brain the fighting chance it needs.
2. Practice good sleep hygiene
3. Manage pain problems which disrupt your sleep
4. Undergo a sleep health assessment by a sleep specialist
5. Make sure your sleeping environment is quiet, dark, clean, and comfortable
6. Review medications that may disrupt sleep
7. Practice relaxation and other sleep-friendly rituals at bedtime