Sleep and Meditation
Treatment for severe illnesses - Matt Rogers
How can we reduce some effects of major diseases?
Severe illnesses deteriorate not only the patient’s physical health, but also their mental health. Symptoms of AIDS and cancer, as well as side effects for treatments such as chemotherapy, include sleep disorders and fatigue. Lack of sleep can bring down a patient's mood and their determination to fight their disease. Improved sleep hygiene and the practice of meditation can lessen the effects of illness related fatigue.
Doctors should make patients more aware of these treatment options because they are free and do not include medications that can cause dependency and have even more side effects.
The Problem
Up to 88% of cancer patients are affected by sleep disorders including sleep apnea and insomnia. This lack of sleep reduces the quality of life by creating depression and anxiety in the patient. These reduce the willingness to fight disease.
HIV/AIDS medications are also known to cause insomnia and sleep apnea as side effects, which leads to even faster deterioration of the patient's immune system.
Above all, the stress and anxiety caused by dealing with major diseases can be alleviated with meditation and sleep.
C.A.M.
Sleep hygiene and meditation can be considered Complementary and Alternative Medicine. CAM can include any herbal therapy or physical therapy that is used along with or in place of traditional medicine.
IT'S FREE!!!
Patients can learn about sleep hygiene and meditation at absolutely no cost through the internet or from their doctors. Practicing sleep hygiene is as simple as developing good habits before bed time and setting up the right sleeping environment. Meditation only requires a quiet location and concentration, as well as a good amount of practice.
NO HARM DONE!
Sleep and meditation have no side effects! Some doctors may prescribe an antidepressant or sleep aid, both of which can have serious side effects and cause dependency.
Yeah, but who has the time?!?
Some may argue that meditation takes too much time, but even 10-20 minutes a day is plenty to improve one's ability to deal with stress.