Healthy sleep

Sleep may not sound like a therapy, but it is an essential part of maintaining a healthy body and mind. Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be an exhausting disorder and, therefore, getting enough sleep is very important. In addition, some PD symptoms are improved by sleep, and many people find that their body movements are better in the morning after a good night’s rest. Conversely, symptoms may become (temporarily) worse after a late night.

Unfortunately, PD and the medications used to treat the condition can sometimes cause problems such as insomnia and vivid dreams, as well as pain and stiffness, which prevent restful sleep. Therefore, it can be helpful to establish a routine to promote sleep. This could include going to bed and getting up at regular times, avoiding oversleeping or daytime napping (or limiting it to a fixed period of time), and making the bedroom a dark, uncluttered, and restful place. It may also help to avoid caffeine drinks (e.g., coffee, cola) before bedtime, and not to read, eat or watch TV in bed.
            
Relaxation methods such as breathing techniques, yoga, massage, acupuncture or aromatherapy can reduce stress and prepare the body for sleep. However, if all these techniques fail, then it might be possible for the doctor to prescribe some sleeping medication, or to alter the doses of any medications that could be causing sleep problems. As always, no changes in medication should be made without first consulting a doctor.