Though it's well known that osteoarthritis can cause decreased mobility and pain, its effect on sleep is often overlooked. The average adult requires 6-8 hours of sleep a night, but many people with osteoarthritis experience disrupted nights or poor quality sleep. In the short term, this can exacerbate the pain associated with the condition, and over a longer period it can lead to more serious problems such as anxiety and depression.
Though it's well known that osteoarthritis can cause decreased mobility and pain, its effect on sleep is often overlooked. The average adult requires 6-8 hours of sleep a night, but many people with osteoarthritis experience disrupted nights or poor quality sleep. In the short term, this can exacerbate the pain associated with the condition, and over a longer period it can lead to more serious problems such as anxiety and depression.
In Part One and Part Two, we looked at the symptoms of osteoarthritis and some common forms of pain management. In this instalment, we look at the ways exercise can assist with managing osteoarthritis.
