Insomnia can also include a decreased ability to fall asleep or waking frequently and difficulty returning to sleep. Waking too early in the morning, sleep that is not refreshing, or a change in usual sleeping habits may also occur.

Hypersomnia is different from fatigue; you may have hypersomnia if you are sleeping more than 10 hours per night and cannot keep from sleeping during the day.

Disturbed sleep can be caused by some medications.

How do people describe disturbed sleep?
How a person describes disturbed sleep depends on whether they are not able to get the sleep they need, have difficulty falling asleep, have difficulty staying asleep, or are sleeping too much.

People who have disturbed sleep report no desire to do anything, even activities that used to bring great pleasure. Not wanting to see or talk to friends or family is also a result of disturbed sleep. Disturbed sleep can change the way you think and feel about things.

What causes disturbed sleep?
Worry about family members care and treatment may result in difficulty sleeping. Other factors include side effects of medication, hot flashes, night sweats, depression, anxiety, and noisy environments. All contribute to sleep disturbance.

How do people cope with disturbed sleep?
The tips to help you deal with disturbed sleep will depend upon whether you are unable to get enough sleep, or are getting too much sleep.

Here are some tips that other people have found helpful for not getting enough sleep:

• Establish a sleep routine by going to bed and getting up at the same time. (Regular routine)
• Use your bed for sleeping only.
• Maintain a quiet, comfortable and consistent bedroom temperature.
• Don’t eat heavy or large meals or do strenuous activity closer than four hours before going to bed.
• Try snacks at bedtime with warm milk, if hungry.
• Try a radio, fan, or mood music to filter out noises. (nature sounds, ocean, etc.)
• Have someone give you backrubs or a foot massage.
• Get some exercise every day, such as walking.
• If sleep medications are prescribed, follow directions carefully.
• Try listening to a relaxation tape at bedtime.
• Try taking a warm bath an hour before going to bed.
• Try to deal with problems or worries during the day, before bedtime.
• Limit napping to no more than 90 minutes rest time.
• Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks after 3 p.m., such as colas, Mountain Dew, hot cocoa, chocolate or diet sodas.
• Try to avoid waking up once asleep.
• Avoid napping in the day.
• Practice relaxation, meditation, or guided imagery.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Avoid tobacco products altogether, as nicotine is a stimulant.
• Ensure your pain is well controlled.

• Get some exercise every day, such as walking.
• Drink a few cups of coffee, tea, cola, or caffeine every day.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Go to bed at the same time each night.
• Use distraction to avoid boredom.
• Swimming or gardening may help.
• Get up at the same time every morning.
• Avoid sweets and foods high in sugar.
• Peanuts (high in tryptophan) should be avoided.
• Avoid dairy products.

• Ask family members and friends to help create a quiet environment.
• Ask your family members and friends just to listen to you.
• Have family members and friends help you with relaxation exercises, controlled breathing exercises, or visualizing pleasant scenery.
• Ask family members and friends to remind you to take your medications and when to call your doctor or nurse.

• Try to describe how your disturbed sleep is affecting you.
• Ask your family members and friends for ideas to deal with your disturbed sleep.
• Ask your family members and friends how your disturbed sleep is affecting them.
• Be open and honest with your family and friends about your sleeping difficulty.

• Overwhelming fatigue.
• Nightmares.
• Confusion.
• Waking too early in the morning.
• Not being able to get back to sleep after waking.
• Waking frequently during the night.
• If the sleeping problem lasts longer than 3 weeks.
• If you feel the sleep problem is due to sadness that lasts more than 2 weeks.
• Inability to carry out daily activities.

• Visit the Family Care Research Program on the internet at: http://www.cancercare.msu.edu.
• Visit the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship on the internet at: http://www.canceradvocacy.org. Click on Essential Care.

• National coalition for cancer survivorship: sleep problems, from: http://www.canceradvocacy.org. Click on Essential Care.
• National Cancer Institute at : http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/. Click on Coping with Cancer then Emotional Concerns.
• Visit the National Family Caregiver Alliance at: http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/home.jsp