#Healthwire: COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, (an umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory asthma, and some forms of bronchiectasis) can make it harder to get a good night's sleep. In fact, many COPD patients also suffer from insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and depression," says Fredric Jaffe, associate professor of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Medications used to treat COPD, including bronchodilators and steroids, can cause sleep difficulties, too. Dr. Jaffe suggests the best way to combat problems with sleep, if you have COPD, is to have a solid bedtime routine and minimize distractions in the bedroom. "Discuss with your pulmonologist if your COPD treatment is optimized and if any of the medications prescribed are impacting your sleep problems," he advises.