Rest problems responsible for disrupting sleep in elderly people
If you have elderly people at home, you may have seen them tossing and turning in their beds at night. It is possible you may have heard them grumbling about how they couldn’t sleep. In such cases, you must take them to see a doctor because there is a high possibility they may be suffering from a sleep disorder. To know about the rest disorders that disrupt sleep in old people, read this article.
What are the common sleep disorders in older adults?
Obstructive sleep apnea:
This is a sleeping disorder where the person experiences a pause in breathing while resting at night. The condition occurs because of blockage in the upper airway and may lead to health complications. While OSA may affect people of any age, crossing the threshold of 40 increases the chances of this sleep problem.
Restless leg syndrome:
The condition makes you experience an overwhelming urge to move your legs when asleep. It may develop in people of any age but is more severe during the late years. Middle-aged and older people experience the sensation more frequently and for longer periods at night.
Circadian rhythm sleep disorder:
In this sleep disorder, the sleep-wake cycle gets disrupted because of a problem with the body’s internal clock. As people grow old, the body’s clock turns less efficient and makes you sleep late and wake early.
REM Behaviors sleep disorder:
After you reach a certain age, it is possible that the brain chemical that paralyzes your muscles during sleep stops functioning. As a result, you may start acting out dreams which can be dangerous if you are having a nightmare. A study observed that out of 456 participants with Parkinson’s disease and over 60 years of age, 7.7% of people had REM behaviour sleep disorder.
Insomnia:
If somebody is experiencing trouble falling or staying asleep and wakes up early in the morning, it is possible he may have insomnia. The condition is quite common in older adults and may result from certain medications or underlying health conditions.
Periodic limb movement disorder:
Although experts are yet to figure out the cause of periodic limb movement disorder, it is highly suspected that it originates from the central nervous system.
What are some causes of sleep disorders?
Health Conditions:
In many people, health problems like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular problems, gastronomical conditions, chronic pain, and lung conditions cause trouble. They prevent you from experiencing a good night’s rest.
Medications:
Generally, older adults are on medications for some health problems. Some of these drugs may disrupt your sleep cycle. These include oral corticosteroids, levodopa, antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety meds.
Other reasons:
Experts outline consuming alcohol, taking caffeine around nighttime, and taking nicotine as some other plausible causes for experiencing sleep problems.
So, these are a few sleep issues that are common in older adults.
What are the common sleep disorders in older adults?
Obstructive sleep apnea:
This is a sleeping disorder where the person experiences a pause in breathing while resting at night. The condition occurs because of blockage in the upper airway and may lead to health complications. While OSA may affect people of any age, crossing the threshold of 40 increases the chances of this sleep problem.
Restless leg syndrome:
The condition makes you experience an overwhelming urge to move your legs when asleep. It may develop in people of any age but is more severe during the late years. Middle-aged and older people experience the sensation more frequently and for longer periods at night.
Circadian rhythm sleep disorder:
In this sleep disorder, the sleep-wake cycle gets disrupted because of a problem with the body’s internal clock. As people grow old, the body’s clock turns less efficient and makes you sleep late and wake early.
REM Behaviors sleep disorder:
After you reach a certain age, it is possible that the brain chemical that paralyzes your muscles during sleep stops functioning. As a result, you may start acting out dreams which can be dangerous if you are having a nightmare. A study observed that out of 456 participants with Parkinson’s disease and over 60 years of age, 7.7% of people had REM behaviour sleep disorder.
Insomnia:
If somebody is experiencing trouble falling or staying asleep and wakes up early in the morning, it is possible he may have insomnia. The condition is quite common in older adults and may result from certain medications or underlying health conditions.
Periodic limb movement disorder:
Although experts are yet to figure out the cause of periodic limb movement disorder, it is highly suspected that it originates from the central nervous system.
What are some causes of sleep disorders?
Health Conditions:
In many people, health problems like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular problems, gastronomical conditions, chronic pain, and lung conditions cause trouble. They prevent you from experiencing a good night’s rest.
Medications:
Generally, older adults are on medications for some health problems. Some of these drugs may disrupt your sleep cycle. These include oral corticosteroids, levodopa, antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety meds.
Other reasons:
Experts outline consuming alcohol, taking caffeine around nighttime, and taking nicotine as some other plausible causes for experiencing sleep problems.
So, these are a few sleep issues that are common in older adults.