Do you often find it difficult to sleep at night because of the discomfort due to pericarditis? Are you also struggling to find a comfortable sleeping position due to the pericarditis pain? Let’s help you then.
Here, we will explain the best way to sleep with pericarditis. You will learn about all the dos and don’ts of sleep while going through this condition. Moreover, we have shared some practical lifestyle tips and treatment options for pericarditis as well. Keep reading to get a peaceful sleep without any discomfort or shortness of breath due to it.
How To Sleep With Pericarditis? Practical And Effective Tips
Your sleeping position is very important if you have pericarditis. Wrong sleeping posture can worsen your condition and affect the quality of your sleep. Let’s look at the most comfortable positions to sleep in with this condition.
- On Your Right Side: Lying down on your right side while you sleep reduces strain on the heart, helping sleep better. While you are lying in this way, lowers the pressure between your heart and chest wall. In this way, pain reduces in the pericarditis.
- Elevated: Elevating your upper body with the help of extra pillows can reduce strain on the pericardium. This elevated position helps prevent fluid accumulation around the heart. It will help with better circulation and make you feel relieved from pericarditis discomfort.
- Relax Your Jaws: The 3rd important suggestion for sleeping better while suffering from pericarditis is relaxing your jaws. Keeping your jaws not tight or relaxed while sleeping can avoid stress in your muscles. In this way, you feel more comfortable.
- Keep Your Chest at a 45° Angle: Keeping your upper body tilted at an angle of 45 degrees during sleep helps you in breathing. It lessens the strain on the heart which helps make you feel more at ease. This position is beneficial for people having pericarditis.
Sleeping Positions to Avoid for Pericarditis
Lying down in a way which is not good for your body during sleep leads to more pain. Here are a few positions to avoid while sleeping with pericarditis:
- Lying Flat on Your Back: Sleeping on the bed while keeping your back straight increases strain on the heart, causing more pain. It is mandatory to avoid lying in this position to prevent discomfort.
- Sleeping on Your Stomach: Sleeping on your stomach can put strain on your chest and may cause disturbances in your sleep. It is advisable to avoid this position to ensure better sleep quality, even if you are habitually sleeping like this. .
- Avoid Deep Breathing: Taking big deep breaths and filling your lungs provides relaxation. However, people with pericarditis may find it uncomfortable. It is a good idea to avoid deep breaths during sleeping to prevent itching to the inflamed pericardium.
Other Tips for Sleeping With Pericarditis
Here are some other tips for sleeping with pericarditis. These will help you get a good sleep with pericarditis.
- Make a sleep schedule and follow it regularly.
- Avoid large meals before sleeping.
- Ensure your bedroom is dark.
- Maintain the most suitable temperature for sleep.
- Try relaxing activities like a warm bath, reading a book, meditation, or any other that works best for you.
- Avoid using alcohol or any other recreational drug.
- Prevent caffeine or nicotine intake before sleep.
Medicated Treatments for Pericarditis
Although pericarditis is not a serious issue, it usually vanishes after a few days without any treatment. But in some cases, you may need to use medical treatment options for it. Your doctor will decide what is best for you based on your diagnosis. Here are some useful treatment options for this condition.
OTC Medicines
Some over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are also useful when dealing with pericarditis. These are safe to use and don’t have any side effects.
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), e.g., Ibuprofen and Naproxen.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Colchicine.
- Prescription Medications.
Surgery
The last option to deal with pericarditis is surgery. Although it can be treated easily, in rare cases, surgery may be needed to treat it. There are two surgical options for this condition.
- Pericardiocentesis
- Pericardiectomy
Your doctor will suggest the most suitable one according to your condition.
Final Words
Hopefully you have got your answer by now about “How To Sleep With Pericarditis?”. Living with pericarditis requires careful consideration of your sleep habits. By adopting the recommended sleeping positions helps in sleeping well
Following these tips, if you still have pericarditis problems, consult with your doctor. Get a diagnosis and start the prescribed treatment. A good night’s sleep is important for your well-being.
