A lesser known but dangerous side effect: insomnia after stroke

It’s common to experience many side effects after having a stroke, including difficulties with movement, cognition and swallowing. Insomnia after stroke is another potential side effect with profound health implications.

Even in the healthiest people, getting enough quality sleep is essential for good health. When recovering from an illness or injury, sleep becomes even more critical, but stroke survivors often face challenges getting the sleep they need.

Experiencing poor sleep presents two dangers for stroke patients: It can slow recovery, and it increases the risk of experiencing another stroke.

You probably know that it can be lifesaving to seek immediate medical attention when experiencing stroke symptoms. Still, it can be equally as important to look for solutions if you’re experiencing sleep issues after a stroke.

The connection between stroke and sleep problems

Stroke and sleep disorders are cyclically connected. Having a sleep disorder increases the risk of having a stroke—and having a stroke increases the risk of experiencing a sleep disorder.

Researchers have taken a deep dive into how stroke affects sleep in the past few years. A 2019 research study found that more than 50% of stroke survivors develop a post-stroke sleep problem.

A 2021 study confirmed that link, finding that sleep problems are more common among stroke survivors than the general population. Insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing issues and sleep-wake cycle disorders are all common during stroke recovery.

Sleep apnea, in particular, greatly increases the risk of stroke, so experiencing this disorder after a stroke increases the risk of having another stroke. What’s the connection between the two?

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when throat muscles relax during sleep and block the upper airway, causing people to stop breathing for 10 to 30 seconds. These disrupted breathing patterns can increase blood pressure, which is among the significant risk factors for stroke.

Signs of a sleep disorder

While many stroke survivors experience problems with sleep, researchers report that few patients are evaluated for sleep disorders in the aftermath of a stroke. There may be several reasons for that discrepancy. For one, many people simply don’t recognize they’re experiencing a sleep disorder—and, accordingly, don’t report it to a medical provider.

Signs of a sleep disorder may include:

• Feeling tingling or crawling sensations in the legs or arms when at rest
• Frequently feeling sleepy during the day
• Having difficulty staying asleep
• Having jerky legs or arms while asleep
• Not feeling sleepy at night
• Snoring loudly or making gasping noises as you sleep
• Taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep
• Waking up repeatedly during the night or too early in the morning

If you notice these signs, talk with a medical provider. A proper diagnosis and treatment can help you get the sleep you need to recover after a stroke and prevent a second stroke.

Treating sleep disorders

If you’re having difficulty sleeping, your provider may first recommend sleep-friendly lifestyle adjustments, including making your bedroom a cool, dark space, limiting electronics use in the bedroom, and going to sleep and waking up near the same time each day.

Physical activity can also help promote good sleep, but it can be challenging while recovering from a stroke. Moving your body as much as you can may be helpful.

Your medical provider may also recommend or prescribe medications, light therapy, or behavioral therapy for treating sleeping disorders. If you’re diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, you may be prescribed a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. CPAP uses mild air pressure administered through a mask to keep airways open, allowing for normal breathing during sleep.

The role of sleep during stroke recovery can’t be understated. If you aren’t getting the sleep you need, take steps to protect your health.

In the aftermath of a stroke, you need highly specialized care to help you recover. You can find that care through West Jefferson Medical Center’s Stroke Specialty Rehabilitation Program.