As we age, sleep disorders become increasingly common.
Unfortunately, many people are affected by sleeping problems as they get older. In fact, aging can cause changes in sleep patterns that lead to sleeping problems. If you’re an older person and are aren’t getting enough sleep, or wake up frequently during the night, here are some sleeping disorders common to seniors, as well as other reasons for not getting adequate sleep.
Sleeping Disorders
Although people of any age can suffer from sleep disorders, older people seem to especially struggle. Some of the main sleeping disorders that seniors encounter include:
- Sleep apnea—This involves the breathing being briefly interrupted during sleep.
- Restless legs syndrome—This sleeping disorder causes leg discomfort, resulting in someone getting up and walking for relief.
- Periodic limb movement disorder—Somewhat like restless legs syndrome, this disorder is one in which the arms and legs contract and move when asleep.
- REM-behavior disorder—Another sleep disorder, although rare, is REM-behavior disorder. This problem entails thrashing and other types of movement while sleeping.
Medications
In many cases, elderly people have to take medicines that can cause sleep disruption, such as diuretics for conditions for hypertension or high blood pressure. People who have glaucoma are prescribed medications for eye pressure, which act as diuretics, keeping them up at night.
If you have a condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor may have you take corticosteroids such as prednisone. Seniors with Parkinson’s disease are usually on the medication known as levodopa, which can also affect sleep. Older people who struggle with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and peptic ulcers typically take H2 blockers, which can give them sleep-linked side effects.
Medications for treating emotional health can also interrupt sleep, such as antidepressants. Major changes in life can cause sleep issues. These include those as the death of a spouse or loved one, moving, losing independence, stress and other changes. That’s why it critical that you talk to a qualified counselor or trusted friend to improve your emotional health.
Other Reasons for Lack of Sleep
Illness is one of the most common reasons why seniors don’t get enough sleep. Some of the illnesses that older people often have that rob them of sleep include heartburn, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and other brain issues.
Urinary problems can keep you awake. For example, an overactive bladder is a huge reason for aging people failing to get enough sleep. If you’re a man, your sleep can easily be interrupted from an enlarged prostate. To treat these problems, ask your doctor about medications that can help, besides therapy.
Diagnosing Sleep Problems
The first step is diagnosing your problem by setting up an appointment with your doctor to discuss your symptoms. Next, your doctor will do a comprehensive physical examine to check for any possible physical conditions that could be causing your lack of sleep. If a primary sleep disorder is suspected, you’ll need to participate in a sleep study or polysomnogram.
Sleep labs are generally conducted at night and involve electrodes on the scalp and face for measuring brain and facial movements during sleep. Breathing is also monitored, using a strap that’s across a patient’s chest. As you sleep, a sleep technician watches and monitors your activity, using a camera to detect sleep disorder signs.
Warnings
- If you’ve recently retired, this can mean your activity level has decreased significantly, which can disrupt sleep. Therefore, it’s important to keep busy by taking up hobbies, doing volunteer work and maybe even working on a part-time basis.
- Be cautious about taking sleeping pills as they can be highly addictive. But if your doctor prescribes them, you should only take them temporarily. Never consume alcohol when taking sleeping pills.
- Don’t take sleeping pills any more than four days a week, doing so under the supervision of a doctor.
If you or someone you know is in need of a better night’s sleep, contact us for a no obligation consultation. We are the sleep specialists at Chevy Chase ENT located in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. metro area dealing with sleep apnea and sleep-related problems. We can help diagnose your condition, recommend whether a sleep study would be beneficial, and offer you a variety of treatment options including CPAP, Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) and more.
