Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can have links with sleep disorders such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. Lupus can also make you wake up more in the night.
If lupus is affecting the quality of your sleep, you can take steps to improve it, such as changing your sleep hygiene.
If lifestyle strategies don’t help, contact a doctor. They can review your current treatment plan and help you find ways to improve sleep.
Read on to learn more about the types and causes of sleep disorders that can affect people with lupus. This article also looks at how to improve sleep quality.
If you have lupus, many factors can contribute to sleep disturbances.
Insomnia
A 2023 study found that perceived stress and glucocorticoid use may contribute to insomnia in people with lupus. Insomnia means that you find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.
If perceived stress affects your ability to fall asleep, taking steps to unwind before bedtime may help.
If you’re taking glucocorticoids for lupus, it’s important to continue to take them until your doctor says otherwise. However, talk with your doctor about your insomnia and any other side effects of the medication you may be experiencing.
Learn about home remedies for insomnia.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
A 2023 study found that there may be links between lupus and OSA. Researchers assessed 42 people with lupus and 20 people in a control group for signs of OSA.
Researchers found that OSA was more common among those with OSA than in the control group.
OSA causes either partial or complete closure of the airways while you sleep. This disrupts your sleep, which in turn can lead to symptoms such as daytime sleepiness and restlessness.
Learn about lifestyle remedies for OSA.
Depression
According to a 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis, there may be a moderate correlation between depression and sleep quality in people with lupus.
Researchers looked at nine studies with a total of 514 people with lupus. They found that people with lupus and depression had worse sleep quality than those without depression.
Working with a medical professional to manage depression may help improve sleep quality.
Learn about insomnia and depression.
Pain
The UMass Chan Medical School Lupus Center suggests that pain during a lupus flare can contribute to sleep disturbances.
However, a small 2024 study suggests that the severity of pain in the evening does not directly predict whether you’ll experience disturbed sleep.
Talk with your doctor if you feel that lupus pain is affecting your ability to get to sleep or stay asleep. Your doctor can provide some advice on how to manage pain while in bed.
Medications
Some medications for treating lupus may affect sleep.
In addition to glucocorticoids, medications that may increase the likelihood of experiencing disturbed sleep include the biologic belimumab and the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine.
It’s important to keep taking your medication as your doctor prescribes. However, if you’re experiencing any side effects, including sleep issues, it’s important to speak with your doctor.
Between 55% and 85% of people with lupus experience some type of sleep disorder, according to a 2014 review.
If you feel that lupus is affecting your sleep, talk with your doctor to identify the exact cause. They can review your current treatment plan and advise on ways to manage insomnia, OSA, and other sleep problems.
Sleep disturbances may be worse during a lupus flare.
You may also find that sleep issues worsen your lupus symptoms, which in turn can further impair your quality of sleep.
Working with your doctor to create a suitable treatment plan for lupus may help reduce the frequency or severity of flares, which in turn may have positive effects on sleep quality.
Discover tips for managing lupus flares.
Not getting enough quality sleep can lead to fatigue during the daytime. Reduced sleep quality can also cause or worsen depression.
According to the UMass Chan Medical School Lupus Center, sleep disorders can also affect the functions of the immune cells, which may increase your risk of becoming sick.
Alongside following your treatment plan for lupus, there are steps you can take to help improve your quality of sleep.
These can include:
- improving sleep hygiene by keeping your bedroom dark and cool, or at a temperature you find most comfortable
- taking time to relax and unwind before bed
- making sure your mattress and bedding are comfortable
- using a fan or white noise machine to block out other sounds
- having your last meal at least 2 hours before going to bed
- avoiding consuming caffeine right before bed
- avoiding looking at laptops, cellphones, and other digital screens at least 30 minutes before bed
Sleep disturbances can contribute to daytime fatigue. However, it’s best to avoid taking naps during the daytime if possible, as this can affect your ability to sleep at night.
If you need to nap during the day, try to nap for only 20 minutes at a time.
There are no medications specifically to help people with lupus improve their quality of sleep.
However, depending on the underlying cause, some medical treatments may help. For example, the
Your doctor may also recommend antidepressants to help manage depression.
Some medications may not be suitable alongside lupus drug treatment. It’s important to make your doctor aware of all medications you currently take before they prescribe any treatments for underlying causes of sleep issues.
Treating lupus may help improve sleep quality. This is because sleep disturbances may be worse during a lupus flare.
A lupus flare may last for a few weeks, possibly longer. Following a suitable treatment plan may help reduce the frequency or severity of flares.
Your doctor can also advise on treatments that may help manage sleep problems during a flare.
Learn more about treatments for lupus.
Your primary care physician may refer you to a sleep specialist if you have lupus and sleep problems.
Some people may find that effectively managing lupus is enough to improve their quality of sleep. If sleep does not improve, then a sleep specialist can help identify the underlying cause and advise on treatments that can directly address OSA, insomnia, and other sleep disturbances.
Sleep disturbances that can occur alongside systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) include insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Other causes of sleep issues with lupus can include depression, pain, and certain medications.
Improving sleep hygiene, avoiding screens right before bed, and eating your last meal at least 2 hours before bedtime may help improve your quality of sleep. Following a suitable treatment plan for lupus may also help, as sleep problems tend to happen more during a lupus flare.
If sleep quality does not improve, your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist. The sleep specialist can help identify any underlying cause and advise on medical treatments that may help.