Rediscovering the benefits of naps since my IPF diagnosis

The need for naps tends to evolve throughout one’s lifetime. When my kids were babies, it was good to let their young bodies rest midday, giving their parents a break and helping them gradually adjust to longer days. As they got older, they outgrew the need for naps. I had also outgrown this need, or so I thought.

By the time I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, I had left naps far behind me. I felt like I generally slept well, but I did snore. Because of the cough associated with my IPF and snoring, I began using a wedge pillow. However, my snoring led my care team to suspect obstructive sleep apnea. An overnight sleep study at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia confirmed their suspicions, and I was prescribed a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

The CPAP machine helped me sleep, but as my IPF progressed, sleep became more elusive. My care team suggested melatonin, which is often used as a non-narcotic sleep aid. Unfortunately, it did not work for me.

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I would lie in bed awake for much of the night. My bedroom had large sliding glass doors that allowed me to see the night sky, and I would watch the stars slowly shift across my view night after night. I often dozed off as the sky began to brighten.

I wasn’t getting enough sleep. When I left work on disability in the fall of 2017, I soon discovered the benefits of naps. I was walking every day for exercise, attending pulmonary rehabilitation sessions several days a week, and attending clinic appointments, which left me tired.

I needed more rest. Some days, that meant a 15- to 30-minute power nap. Other days, I slept for hours. The longer naps were typically on days involving lengthy procedures or anesthesia.

My wife, Susan, was the guardian of my rest. She let our friends and family know that I couldn’t receive phone calls or text messages before 9 a.m. If I took a nap during the day, the house became still.

When naps are beneficial — and when they aren’t

Are naps good for patients with chronic health conditions? It depends.

An umbrella review published earlier this year in Public Health Reviews examined the relationship between nap duration and health outcomes. After reviewing 16 meta-analyses, researchers found that napping for an hour or less “may optimize cognitive and physical benefits while reducing chronic disease risks.” They also noted that people with chronic conditions should avoid napping for more than an hour.

Commentary by Joseph S. Alpert, MD, published in The American Journal of Medicine, contained similar findings.

Next month will mark five years since my double-lung transplant, and I can still attest to the value of a nap. I consider it a tool I can use as necessary. Afterward, I feel sharper and perform better during walks, allowing me to start refreshed and finish stronger.

One way I use naps is in my writing. When I finish a column, I put it aside before making any final edits. During that time, I may take a short nap. Then my head is clear, and I can focus better on editing.

Are there downsides to naps? Both works cited above note that longer naps have been linked to health issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart problems. I was not surprised, as these conditions are also often associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

For that reason, I practice moderation. I prefer napping for just 15 to 20 minutes, which refreshes me. There are days I take a longer nap, of course, but those are not the norm.

Talk to your care team about naps and your lifestyle, especially if you are constantly tired and unable to rest well. My sleep apnea diagnosis was a surprise to me; I only discovered it after talking to my care team. I am going to take a short nap now. When I wake up, I will be refreshed, and I can continue to make every breath count.

Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.