For people of all ages, difficulty falling asleep is a frequent sleep issue. However, it's frequently a sign of other medical or mental health issues among older folks.
The first steps include a physical examination and a review of your prescriptions. Your lifestyle and sleeping patterns will also be questioned by your physician.
Alterations in sleeping habits.
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As adults age, they often sleep fewer hours at night and nap more during the day. This is a normal part of aging and usually has little to do with insomnia, but it might induce daytime tiredness and fewer peaceful nights.
Aging also causes a change in the circadian rhythm, which can lead to fatigue earlier in the evening and more nighttime awakenings. A phase advance is the term used to describe this change in the circadian rhythm. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that older persons' sleep architecture alters with age, with less time spent in deeper sleep phases and more time spent in earlier light sleep stages.
Any of these modifications to sleep patterns could be signs of insomnia, so it's critical to talk to a doctor about the issue. Along with a physical examination, your doctor will inquire about your health history and sleeping patterns.
Alterations in activity.
Activity changes brought on by aging frequently have an impact on sleep. Chronic pain, certain medical disorders (such as lung diseases and arthritis), increased nighttime urination, anxiety, depression, and certain medications (especially blood pressure meds, sedatives, and antidepressants) can all be associated with insomnia.
While a few sleepless nights here and there might not seem like much, persistent insomnia over time can be crippling. It can lower general health and quality of life and interfere with job, family, and social life. Treatments exist for insomnia, which is excellent news. Modifying one's lifestyle, particularly by adopting healthy sleeping practices, can frequently alleviate transient insomnia. Treating the underlying cause of sleeplessness, if it is a symptom of a different medical condition or medicine, frequently helps to reduce insomnia. Cognitive behavior therapy, a kind of psychotherapy that encourages constructive actions and thought processes, is another treatment option for insomnia. Many drugs, such as melatonin and benzodiazepines, can be used to treat insomnia.
Sleep architecture changes.
Each night's cycle in healthy sleepers consists of four phases: REM sleep, deep sleep, NREM (non-REM), and a transitional period in between. Everybody experiences each phase in a different order, duration, and depth.
As we age, the average number of waking episodes rises and the overall amount of sleep time falls. This happens irrespective of pharmaceutical regimens or medical conditions. Furthermore, the length of NREM sleep cycles decreases, and the quality of deep or slow wave sleep declines. The brain uses slow waves to switch off arousal mechanisms when we sleep.
Although these non-pathological alterations are typical, they may exacerbate symptoms of insomnia and cause sleep disruptions such excessive morning wakefulness or a decreased sense of sleep. Additionally, they may result in secondary health issues like weariness, sadness, and irritability. They might also affect how well some drugs work for mental health issues and medical diseases.
Tension.
Insomnia is frequently brought on by stress. This may aggravate you when you try to sleep and make it difficult for you to fall asleep or stay awake. Stress levels are typically higher in older persons than in younger adults. Additionally, they are more prone to suffer from long-term illnesses like acid reflux or chronic discomfort that might disrupt their sleep. Moreover, they use more medications, which may raise their chance of developing insomnia.
Hormonal fluctuations linked to menstrual cycles or menopause are more common in women, which can interfere with sleep habits and make it difficult to fall asleep. In addition, they could have to cope with health issues like obstructive sleep apnea or snoring, as well as illnesses that can interfere with sleep, including a bladder or prostate condition. Insomnia is caused by stress-related, recent experiences known as precipitating factors, and it is perpetuated by actions or ideas that prevent restful sleep.
