Insomnia & Seniors
Insomnia is defined as a persistent inability to fall or stay asleep despite having the opportunity to do so. People aged 60 and older are more susceptible to insomnia, which can be caused by a variety of factors. Certain medications used to treat geriatric medical conditions can also cause sleep disturbances.
Sleep and Aging
People tend to sleep less and are more prone to waking episodes after falling asleep as they get older, and sleep latency u2013 the time it takes to fall asleep u2013 may also increase with age, with some studies suggesting that the average person loses 27 minutes of sleep per night for each decade.
Recognizing and Diagnosing Insomnia in Seniors
Primary insomnia refers to insomnia symptoms that occur on their own, whereas secondary insomnia occurs as a result of an underlying medical or psychiatric condition. Treating secondary insomnia typically requires patients to first address the primary condition.
Treatment for Insomnia in Older Adults
Insomnia can be treated with sleep education and better sleep hygiene, as well as other non-pharmacological treatments. Many insomnia patients are instructed to keep a sleep diary that records how long it takes them to fall asleep each night. Sleep efficiency is defined as the ratio between time asleep vs. time awake in bed each night.
Other Common Sleep Disorders for Seniors
According to the American Sleep Apnea Society, many elderly patients have insomnia as well as other sleep disorders, complicating treatment plans. Sleep disorders with a high prevalence rate among elderly populations include insomnia, apnea, and restless-northerly syndrome (rTNS).
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders
Circadian rhythm sleep disorders can occur when a person’s circadian rhythm is out of sync with their external environment, and advanced sleep-wake phase disorder is particularly common in the elderly. For some elderly patients, timed light exposure in the evening can be used to treat these disorders.
Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders
Many seniors with sleep apnea are treated with continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) therapy, which helps them snore less at night.
Periodic Limb Movements and Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome is characterized by an overwhelming urge to move one’s legs while the body is at rest, and both conditions can cause nighttime arousals that lead to waking episodes and fatigue the next day.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
People with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) will physically act out their dreams, which has been found to be particularly common in elderly men. RBD has been linked to degenerative neurologic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
How Much Sleep Do Seniors Need?
In order to feel well-rested and alert the next day, the average senior needs seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Sleep disorders such as insomnia can greatly disrupt your sleep schedule; use these tips to ensure you get enough sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.
How do you treat insomnia in the elderly?
Nonpharmacological interventions
- Sleep Hygiene Education.
- Insomnia CBT.
- Sleep Restriction Therapy.
- Stimulus Control Therapy.
- Relaxation Techniques.
- Brief Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia.
How can we solve the problem of insomnia?
Follow these ten suggestions for a better night’s sleep.
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
- Create a restful sleeping environment.
- Make sure your bed is comfortable.
- Exercise on a regular basis.
- Reduce your caffeine intake.
- Do not overindulge.
- Do not smoke.
- Try to relax before going to bed.
What causes insomnia in elderly?
Sleep disturbance in the elderly is associated with decreased memory, impaired concentration, and impaired functional performance. Physiologic changes associated with aging, environmental conditions, and chronic medical illnesses all contribute to insomnia in the elderly.
What is the best treatment of insomnia?
CBT-I (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia) can help you control or eliminate negative thoughts and actions that keep you awake, and it’s usually as effective as or more effective than sleep medications.
Do all seniors have trouble sleeping?
Chronic sleep problems can significantly interfere with older adults’ daily activities and reduce their quality of life, according to researchers. Between 40% and 70% of older adults have chronic sleep issues, with up to half of cases going undiagnosed.sup>11/sup> Chronic sleep problems can significantly interfere with older adults’ daily activities and reduce their quality of life.
What food can cure insomnia?
Try one or more of these natural remedies recommended by nutritionists.
- Make Walnuts Your Friend.
- Ensure You Get Enough Vitamin B6.
- Eat Bananas.
- Try Tart Cherry Juice.
- Befriend Basil.
- Maximize Magnesium.
- Eat an Hour Before Bed.
- Drink a Glass of Milk.
What are the 3 types of insomnia?
Acute, transient, and chronic insomnia are the three types of insomnia. Insomnia is defined as a persistent problem with sleep initiation, maintenance, consolidation, or quality that occurs despite adequate sleep time and opportunity and results in some form of daytime impairment.
How can I fight insomnia naturally?
Here are some helpful hints for overcoming insomnia.
- Eliminate alcohol and stimulants like nicotine and caffeine from your daily routine.
- Limit naps.
- Exercise regularly.
- Limit activities in bed.
- Do not eat or drink right before bed.
Are sleeping pills safe for the elderly?
All sedative-hypnotic drugs have special risks for older adults, as they are more sensitive to the drugs’ effects than younger adults, and the drugs may stay in their bodies longer.
What is the best medication for anxiety and insomnia?
Benzodiazepines are a class of structurally related compounds that reduce anxiety at low doses and induce sleep at higher doses. Clinical guidelines generally recommend prescribing benzodiazepines to treat severe, disabling, and distressing anxiety or insomnia.
What health condition causes insomnia?
Chronic pain, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), overactive thyroid, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease are all conditions linked to insomnia.
How do I get rid of insomnia permanently?
Chronic insomnia remedies at home
- Avoid caffeine, especially later in the day.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking cigarettes before bed.
- Exercise regularly.
- Don’t nap.
- Don’t eat large meals in the evening.
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on days off.
Why I Cannot sleep at night?
Insomnia, or the inability to fall asleep or sleep well at night, can be caused by a variety of factors including stress, jet lag, a medical condition, medications, or even the amount of coffee consumed, as well as other sleep disorders or mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.