Symptom 10: Sleep Disturbances – Insomnia and Sleep Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease
Sleep, an essential restorative process, can become a battleground for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and sleep disorders, are prevalent symptoms, significantly impacting patients’ restfulness and overall health.
Patients may experience difficulties in falling asleep due to a myriad of reasons, including nighttime tremors, rigidity, and anxiety. Others may struggle with staying asleep, often waking up frequently during the night due to a need to urinate or experiencing vivid, disturbing dreams.
Sleep disorders such as REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), where individuals physically act out their dreams, are also common in Parkinson’s. This can result in self-injury or harm to a bed partner and significantly disrupt sleep quality.
The impact of poor sleep extends well into the daytime, often leading to excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and a decrease in cognitive function. It can exacerbate the existing motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and negatively affect a person’s mood, contributing to feelings of depression and anxiety. (10)
