As we get older, our bodies experience many changes and adjustments. We have to consider medical concerns that we never had to think about before as well as make changes to our diets and exercise habits. What many people do not consider, though, is how age impacts your sleep patterns.
Overall Impact Age Has On Sleep Habits
Age can have a significant impact on sleep health. Our sleep patterns tend to change as we age, and we may experience more sleep disturbances. Infants and children require more sleep than adults, with newborns typically sleeping up to 17 hours per day, while adults typically require 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
In older adults, the time spent in deep sleep decreases, and you may wake up more frequently during the night. This can lead to difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested upon waking up. Additionally, older adults may be more susceptible to conditions and sleep disorders that affect sleep, such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and chronic pain.
However, it’s important to note that the impact of age on sleep health can vary depending on individual factors, such as lifestyle habits, overall health, and genetics. By adopting healthy sleep habits and addressing any underlying sleep disorders, it’s possible to improve sleep health at any age.
Common Sleep Disorders in 55+ Patients
There are many different kinds of sleep disorders and a person can experience sleep disorder symptoms at any age, under certain circumstances. There are, however, some sleep disorders that older patients are more susceptible to, especially if they struggle with other medical conditions.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both, despite having the opportunity and desire to sleep. Insomnia can manifest in different ways, such as trouble falling asleep at bedtime, waking up frequently during the night and having difficulty returning to sleep, or waking up too early and being unable to fall back asleep.
Patients of all ages may struggle with insomnia, but it poses special challenges for individuals over the age of 55. Insomnia may increase your risk of falls; many studies show that a lack of sleep can affect balance, coordination, and reaction time. It may also increase the risk of depression. Insomnia and depression often go hand in hand. Elderly patients with insomnia may be at an increased risk of developing depression or worsening existing depression symptoms.
Sleep is essential for cognitive function, and chronic insomnia can contribute to cognitive decline in elderly patients. This can include problems with memory, attention, and decision-making.
Another problem that elderly patients may struggle with more than younger patients is medication overlap. As patients get older and require more medication, patients of an older age may be taking multiple medications, some of which can interact with sleep aids and other insomnia treatments or even cause secondary insomnia. This can complicate treatment and increase the risk of adverse effects
Hypersomnia
Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, despite getting adequate or even prolonged nighttime sleep. People with hypersomnia often struggle to stay awake during the day and may experience excessive fatigue and tiredness that interferes with their daily activities. They may also have difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and difficulty waking up in the morning. Hypersomnia can be caused by various factors such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, or certain medications. Treatment may involve addressing the underlying cause and lifestyle changes such as improving sleep hygiene, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and regular exercise.
As we age, our sleep patterns change, and we may experience more fragmented and lighter sleep, which can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness. Older and elderly adults may also be more likely to have medical conditions that can contribute to hypersomnia, such as obstructive sleep apnea, depression, or chronic pain. Additionally, certain medications commonly used by older adults can cause drowsiness or interfere with sleep, leading to hypersomnia. However, it’s important to note that hypersomnia can affect people of all ages, and proper diagnosis and treatment can help alleviate symptoms regardless of age.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological condition that causes an uncomfortable sensation in the legs or other parts of the body, such as tingling, crawling, or aching, which can be relieved by moving the affected limb. RLS symptoms usually occur at night, making it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, and can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue.
While RLS can affect people of any age, it does tend to be more common in older patients. In fact, up to 10% of adults over the age of 65 may experience RLS. The risk of developing RLS increases with age, and women are more likely to develop the condition than men.
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it may be related to problems with dopamine signaling in the brain, iron deficiency, or genetics. Treatment for RLS may involve addressing underlying medical conditions, such as iron deficiency, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and medication, such as dopaminergic agents or iron supplements, to alleviate symptoms.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. It is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden and uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the day, and disrupted nighttime sleep. People with narcolepsy may also experience cataplexy, which is a sudden loss of muscle control triggered by strong emotions such as laughter or anger.
Narcolepsy can affect people of any age, including the elderly. The symptoms of narcolepsy in older adults may be similar to those in younger individuals, but the diagnosis may be more challenging because excessive daytime sleepiness and disrupted sleep are common in elderly individuals, even in the absence of narcolepsy, related to other medical conditions, mental illness, or medications.
Narcolepsy in older adults can be particularly challenging because it can affect their mobility, increase their risk of falls and accidents, and impact their overall quality of life. Older adults with narcolepsy may also be more susceptible to medication side effects, and the medications used to treat narcolepsy, such as stimulants and antidepressants, may interact poorly with other medications used to treat age-related health conditions.
Prevention
While it may not be possible to prevent all sleep disorders, there are several steps that you can take to avoid certain sleep disorders and symptoms as you get older.
The most important thing to do is to do your best to maintain a regular and healthy sleep routine. Going to bed around the same time every night, not getting too many or too few hours of sleep each night, and ensuring that your sleep space is calm and relaxing can help establish a solid foundation for your future sleep health.
You should also make sure that you are monitoring things like stress levels, mental health, and other health conditions. Addressing these other problems as soon as you notice an issue can help keep these other conditions from causing a secondary sleep disorder that can follow you for years to come. Sleep disorders are like many other medical conditions; while you cannot always prevent one from happening, you can live a healthy lifestyle and lower your chances.
Treatment
The treatment of sleep disorders in elderly patients typically involves a multi-disciplinary approach, and a sleep medicine specialist may be part of the team providing care. The treatment approach will depend on the type and severity of the sleep disorder and the patient’s overall health status.
The sleep medicine specialist may recommend changes to the patient’s sleep habits, such as establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and engaging in regular physical activity.
Depending on the type of sleep disorder, the sleep medicine specialist may prescribe medications to help manage symptoms. For example, they may prescribe sleep aids or medications to help manage restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea.
For patients with obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP therapy is often the first-line treatment. This involves wearing a mask over the nose or mouth while sleeping to deliver continuous air pressure to keep the airway open.
For patients with insomnia, the sleep medicine specialist may recommend CBT-I, which is a type of therapy that helps patients develop healthy sleep habits and address negative thought patterns related to sleep. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to address anatomical abnormalities that contribute to sleep apnea, such as enlarged tonsils or a deviated septum.
It is important to note that the treatment approach for sleep disorders in elderly patients must be tailored to the individual and take into account their overall health and any other medical conditions they may have. The sleep medicine specialist will work with the patient and other healthcare providers to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the patient’s specific needs and goals.
Gingras Sleep Medicine
Want to learn more about how aging might be affecting your sleep health? Set up your consultation with North Carolina’s leading sleep medicine specialist, Dr. Jeanine Gingras. You can visit us online or call us at (704) 944-0562.
At Gingras Sleep Medicine, we believe that everyone deserved to wake up feeling well-rested and ready for the day and we will not stop until every one of our patients is achieving all of their sleep goals!