
Sleep problems in the elderly are common. Aging often comes with health conditions that can lead to trouble falling asleep, sleep that is less deep, frequent nighttime awakenings, overall less sleep.
Here are 5 common causes of sleep problems in the elderly and how to reduce sleep disturbances.
5 causes of sleep problems in the elderly
1. Sleep disorders
- Circadian rhythm disorder: Periodic irregularities in your circadian rhythm, the "internal body clock" that keeps your biological processes in sync, are known as circadian rhythm disorders. These sleep disorders are characterized by trouble falling asleep, waking up throughout the sleep cycle or waking up too early, and being unable to go back asleep.
- Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous sleep problem in which your breathing regularly stops during sleep. If you snore loudly and wake up feeling fatigued in the morning, you may have sleep apnea.
- Periodic limb movement disorder: Periodic limb movement disorder is a disease that affects the muscles of the lower extremities. It involves repeated limb movements that occur during sleep and cause sleep disturbances.
- REM sleep behavior disorder: REM sleep behavior disorder, also known as dream-enacting behavior, is a sleep disorder in which you respond to vivid dreams during REM sleep by making noises and violent arm and leg movements.
2. Neurological diseases
- Parkinson's disease: The incidence of Parkinson's disease increases with age. It is estimated that up to 40% of people with Parkinson's disease experience sleep problems.
- Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer's disease can make you feel tired during the day and have trouble falling asleep at night.
3. Underlying medical conditions
- Cardiovascular disease: According to one study, 39% of people with cardiovascular disease sleep less than 6.5 hours a night, which can lead to a higher risk of death.
- Gastrointestinal diseases: Gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome are two examples of gastrointestinal conditions that can disrupt sleep in the elderly.
- Arthritis pain: Arthritis is common in the elderly, and can cause chronic pain that interferes with sleep.
- Pulmonary diseases: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma can make it difficult to breathe and increase the likelihood of developing obstructive sleep apnea.
4. Mental health disorders
Mental health disorders become more common with age, and can lead to trouble sleeping at night:
- Depression
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Dementia
- Delirium
5. Medications
Medications used to treat age-related health conditions can also lead to trouble sleeping at night:
- Anticholinergics
- Antihypertensive agents
- Corticosteroids
- Histamine H2 blockers
- Diuretics
- Sympathomimetics
- Levodopa
- Herbal medicines
How to reduce sleep problems in the elderly
- Reduce screen time. Artificial lights at night can stop the body from making melatonin, which is crucial for sleep. Turning off TVs, computers, and other digital devices at least an hour before going to bed may help.
- Establish a sleep schedule. Even on the weekends and holidays, go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
- Exercise on a regular basis. Engage in frequent physical activity. Getting regular exercise can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
- Avoid drinking fluids before bedtime. Limit fluid intake before going to bed to reduce the amount of times you have to get up to pee in the middle of the night.
- Avoid caffeine before bedtime. Caffeine before bedtime can cause sleep disturbances. Stop having coffee, tea, and other caffeinated items at least 4hours before sleep.
- Limit alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol may initially help induce sleep but can make your sleep less deep and cause nighttime awakenings.
- Avoid smoking at night. Nicotine is a stimulant that disrupts sleep.
- Limit sedatives and sleep aids. These have adverse effects and are not recommended for long-term use. Sleep medications don't treat the root cause of insomnia and may possibly worsen it.

SLIDESHOW
Exercises for Seniors: Tips for Core, Balance, Stretching See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medically Reviewed on 5/19/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Image
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5991956/
https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjf34fcusH3AhXU4HMBHfbXCVAQFnoECAsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F30058034%2F&usg=AOvVaw1gh5SrBZbguGFPAae1ubr6
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5991956/
https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjf34fcusH3AhXU4HMBHfbXCVAQFnoECAsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F30058034%2F&usg=AOvVaw1gh5SrBZbguGFPAae1ubr6
Complete List
Top Why Do the Elderly Have Trouble Sleeping at Night Related Articles
estazolam
Estazolam is a medication used for short-term management of insomnia characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, frequent awakening in the night and/or waking up extremely early in the morning. Do not use estazolam in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Benzodiazepines, including estazolam have a high potential for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Common side effects of estazolam include drowsiness (somnolence), diminished body movement (hypokinesia), dizziness, abnormal coordination, nervousness, hangover, confusion, anxiety, depression, abnormal thinking, abnormal dreams, headache, weakness (asthenia), feeling unwell (malaise), lower extremity pain, and others.Healthy Aging: Over 50? These Problems Can Sneak Up on You
As you get older, you may need to watch out for a few health problems that can come on slowly. Here are some things from WebMD that you can do to stave them off.Healthy Aging: Ways to Fight the Aging Process
You can’t slow down the clock, but you can make some changes to fight little aches and pains, wrinkles, memory glitches, and other parts of the aging process.Is Hypersomnolence a Mental Disorder?
Hypersomnolence (hypersomnia) is not a mental disorder. Hypersomnolence is excessive daytime sleepiness despite getting adequate sleep (seven hours) during the night. Hypersomnolence can be caused by various factors, including medical conditions such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. It can also be triggered by certain medications, lifestyle factors, sleep disorders, and insufficient sleep.Healthy Aging: How to Live a Longer Life
What is the best diet for longevity? What's the secret to living longer? Do vegetarians live longer? How can you live a longer life? Learn the secrets to living a longer life, from being happier to making friends, eating right, quitting smoking, getting the right amount of sleep and finding a pet you love.Mental Health: Substance Abuse in Older Adults
Abuse of alcohol and drugs among older people has been called the invisible epidemic. Learn what to look out for to protect yourself or a loved one.phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine is a fatty substance (phospholipid) that is part of the membranes of the brain's nerve cells (neurons). Taken as a supplement, phosphatidylserine is used to prevent memory loss and improve cognitive function in elderly patients and to improve focus in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Common side effects of phosphatidylserine include sleeplessness (insomnia), gas (flatulence), and stomach upset. Consult with your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.Sleep Disorders
A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual to individual and change throughout your life. The National Institutes of Health recommend about 7-9 hours of sleep each night for older, school-aged children, teens, and most average adults; 10-12 for preschool-aged children; and 16-18 hours for newborns. There are two stages of sleep: 1) REM sleep (rapid-eye movement), and 2) NREM sleep (non-rapid-eye movement).suvorexant
Suvorexant is a sedative medication used to treat insomnia, characterized by difficulty in falling and/or staying asleep at night. Suvorexant promotes sleep by reducing arousal and wakefulness. Do not use suvorexant to treat patients with narcolepsy. Suvorexant can worsen depression and cause suicidal ideation. Common side effects of suvorexant include headache, drowsiness (somnolence), dizziness, abnormal dreams, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, diarrhea, and dry mouth. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.What Are Some Normal Signs of Aging?
Aging is an inevitable and natural process. But what are normal signs of aging, and when should you be worried? Learn about what to expect as you get older.What Are the 8 Types of Sleep Disorders?
Here are the 8 most common types of sleep disorders, which include obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and narcolepsy.What Causes Insomnia?
Insomnia is defined as repeated difficulty with sleep initiation, maintenance, consolidation, or quality that occurs despite adequate time and opportunity for sleep and results in some form of daytime impairment. There are three types of insomnia.