Sleep deprivation can have serious health consequences. Read on -- and then lights out.

Patricia Barden, 52, of Smithfield, N.C., lives with intense knee pain from osteoarthritis (OA) and widespread body pain from fibromyalgia, which makes finding a comfortable sleep position challenging. Her dog, Elvis, sometimes lies next to her in bed, instinctively settling his warm body against her achiest joints. But Elvis ain't nothin' like a hound dog. In fact, he's a Shih Tzu, the longhaired breed of toy dogs that centuries ago kept company with Chinese emperors. Perhaps Elvis retains regal airs, because when Barden begins tossing and turning in her nightly quest to get comfortable enough to sleep, Elvis sighs, jumps off the bed and prances out of the room. 

In chronic pain, Barden never sleeps through the night. "There are nights I'm constantly dozing and waking, dozing and waking," she says. "On a good night, I might wake up only 10 or 12 times." Those choppy nights lead to daytime fatigue and sleepiness. Barden says she doesn't dare drive after a bad night of sleep because she can get drowsy just riding a scooter in the grocery store. "I've fallen asleep right in the middle of a meal," she says.

Living with chronic pain can make you appreciate sound sleep - when you can get it. In the National Sleep Foundation's 2003 Sleep in America poll - a national survey of the sleep habits of 55- to 84-year-olds - 72 percent of the respondents diagnosed with arthritis reported sleep problems. Common complaints included trouble falling asleep, frequent waking, waking too early, not feeling well rested in the morning and feeling sleepy throughout the day. 

Being chronically short-changed on sleep - one of our most basic human needs - can occur because of health issues, cause new health issues and worsen existing health issues. Sleep deprivation also can throw your quality of life out of whack, as you shuffle through the day, sleepy, depressed, achy and irritable. 

There's good news, though. Treating or controlling any underlying sleep disorders or medical conditions and developing sound sleep habits can help restore your health and balance. You might even find a good night's sleep is the best pain medication of all.

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Also of Interest:

So Tired You Don't Feel Normal? | What's Your Trouble? | Reset Your Clock | How Tired Are You? | How Much Sleep Do You Need? | What Can Your Doctor Do For You?