Hormones could be a major factor, says Slawsby. "Nighttime is when the production of the anti-inflammatory hormone cortisol is at its lowest." New research also has suggested that pain may follow a circadian rhythm like the body's internal 24-clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle.
Common causes of pain at night include: Hormone levels – production of the anti-inflammatory hormone cortisol drops to its lowest point at around midnight, so this could see discomfort rise for certain ailments. Sleep position – staying in one position all night can cause your joints to get stiff.
Post-operative pain may be acute the first 1 or 2 days after surgery as approximately 30% of patients will experience severe pain in the first 24 hours after even a minor surgery.
Tissue injury, whether accidental or intentional (e.g. surgery), is followed by localized swelling. After surgery, swelling increases progressively, reaching its peak by the third day. It is generally worse when you first arise in the morning and decreases throughout the day.
If you suffer from nerve pain caused by diabetic neuropathy, physical trauma, sciatica, lupus, arthritis, or other causes, you may find that your pain gets worse at night.
Night Pain or Restless Sleeping Pain
This is especially true if you have a night or resting back problems along with other symptoms. Pain at night, and weight loss, particularly in adolescents, can be a sign of cancer. You should consult your healthcare provider.
Try relaxation techniques:
Try 10 minutes of meditation before bed. Soak your feet and hands in a warm bath to relax your nerves at night. Make sure the water isn't too hot though.
In general, research has found that orthopedic surgeries, or those involving bones, are the most painful. However, researchers also found that some minor surgeries or those classed as keyhole or laparoscopic could also cause significant pain.
The highest incidence of postoperative complications is between one and three days after the operation. However, specific complications occur in the following distinct temporal patterns: early postoperative, several days after the operation, throughout the postoperative period and in the late postoperative period.
Chronic pain after surgery is thought to result from injury to one or more peripheral nerves during a surgical procedure. Surgery involves the cutting of tissues and nerves, which activate the body's automatic injury responses such as inflammation.
The best strategy for controlling your pain after surgery is around the clock pain control with Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen or Advil). Alternating these medications with each other allows you to maximize your pain control.
Smolensky says that this immune system activity and the inflammation it produces is not constant, but instead is “highly circadian rhythmic.” As a result, “you tend to experience symptoms as most severe when your immune system kicks into highest gear, which is normally at night during sleep.”
Instead, read a book, journal, listen to calming music, practice restorative yoga, or do a meditation exercise. Warm baths are also great for both pain relief and healthy sleep. Many people derive benefit from aromatherapy and herbal teas, as well.
'Sleep is a natural analgesic'
The scientists found that the smallest changes in the participants' sleep patterns correlated with changes in pain sensitivity.
Fatigue is normal following surgery and should improve day after day as your body begins to heal itself. Some people have it worse than others due to age, health, and the type of surgery they had, but with time and proper care, most will be able to build up their strength and energy levels.
Get Plenty of Rest
With any major surgery, it's important to stay in bed as much as possible for at least 24–48 hours after the procedure. Some surgeries may require even more patient bed rest. Sleep if you feel tired and be sure to move slower than your usual pace.
Clots are most likely to develop in the first week or two after your surgery, but you're at risk for about three months. You won't always notice symptoms, but if you develop a blood clot you might see: New swelling in your lower leg that doesn't go down when you elevate your leg.
There's no “easy” field of surgery, and every surgeon must be dedicated to their craft. However, neurosurgery is considered one of the most challenging fields, as the risks involved are much higher than general surgery.
Similar to sleeping, lying down can increase pressure on the nerves. When you are upright, your body's weight is evenly distributed. However, when you are lying down, most of your weight is pressing down on one area. This can increase pressure on the nerves and cause pain.
There are several reasons why nerve pain can be worse at night. The first reason is that when you lie down, the blood flow to your extremities decreases, which can aggravate the nerves and cause pain. Additionally, lying down for an extended period can cause nerve compression and irritation.
If soft tissues are the cause of your nerve compression, massage can ease some of that painful pressure off the nerve. Of course, you might not experience total relief from one massage session, especially if you've had the pain for a long time.