Should I be concerned that I’m sleeping a lot with COPD?

Many of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience chronic fatigue, but I still wondered why I’d been sleeping more than usual lately. As usual, I did some research and am letting you in on my findings.

The first article I read was published by the Cleveland Clinic and explains that we all oversleep sometimes, especially if we’re recovering from an illness or injury, and that it’s nothing to be concerned about. I’m currently on antibiotics for an infection that caused episodes of dizziness, so this might be the reason for my extra sleep.

I also found a COPD News Today article that says that poor sleep significantly increases the risk of disease exacerbations in people with COPD. Despite this risk and my recent infection, I’m thankfully not experiencing an exacerbation of my COPD symptoms.

After closely examining my sleep, I’ve concluded that I’m not sleeping too much — just more than usual. A Health article defines oversleeping as sleeping for more than nine hours in a 24-hour time frame. Upon checking my Fitbit, I noticed that I sleep for only seven to nine hours a night, though my sleep quality is lacking.

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My poor sleep quality isn’t surprising, though, as it’s a common problem among people with COPD. As the Sleep Foundation notes, “People who have a hard time breathing at night due to COPD may wake frequently and have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, throughout the night,” leading to reduced sleep time or sleep quality. But other factors may play a role as well.

People who experience worse hypoxemia, or low oxygen saturation, during the day are more likely to have hypoxemic episodes during sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, oxygen desaturation can particularly affect rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep, which is when dreams occur.

Many people with COPD tell me that they haven’t slept in a bed in years because they feel like they’re being smothered when they lie down. This shortness of breath upon lying down is called orthopnea. It can be caused by various health conditions, including COPD. Because of this issue, some choose to sleep in a recliner. Another solution could be an adjustable bed.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the airways become partly or fully blocked, is a common comorbidity of COPD. According to COPD News Today, “People with overlap syndrome, or COPD as well as OSA, are more likely to experience episodes of acute exacerbation when their OSA is left untreated.” The article notes that using continuous positive airway pressure — or CPAP, a type of noninvasive ventilation — at night can aid lung function in those with both conditions.

Some medications can also make it more difficult to get a good night’s sleep. For example, theophylline may be prescribed to improve breathing, but it can also interfere with sleep quality for some patients.

In addition, the nighttime muscle cramps that are common in COPD can interrupt sleep. I often have to get up in the middle of the night to walk them off or try to massage them away.

I’ll talk to my doctor about my sleep at my next visit, but I’m fairly sure I don’t have a sleep issue. I’ve probably just been sleeping more recently because I’m recovering from an infection. Living with COPD has taught me not to ignore problems or try to tough them out, as that kind of behavior almost always leads to problems.

Sleep is important, so if you’re not getting enough quality rest, be sure to consult with your doctor about possible causes and solutions.

Note: COPD News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of COPD News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.