Introduction
Sleep disorders in older adults become a major problem for their health and well-being. Aging individuals experience several physiological and lifestyle changes that can disrupt their sleep patterns. Hence, conditions like insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and circadian rhythm disorders may result. Knowledge about these diseases and their consequences is key to the administering and enhancement of sleep quality among the elderly.
Types of Sleep Disorders in Older Individuals
The disorders in older people have become a major issue owing to their high prevalence and the associated risks for overall health and quality of life. The shift in age is associated with sleep disorders, which affect a significant number of elderly people. The most prevalent sleep disorders in this demographic are insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). All of these diseases have their characteristics and may cause serious sleep disturbances and greatly worsen the quality of life in the elderly.
Insomnia, which can be defined as the inability to either fall or stay asleep for a long time, is one of the most common sleep disorders among the elderly. Aging is associated with various factors that contribute to insomnia in the elderly population; these factors include sleep architecture changes, comorbid medical conditions, medications, and psychological factors like stress and depression. Sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder among the elderly, involves temporary interruptions in breathing while sleeping that result in disrupted sleep and daytime fatigue (Miner & Kryger, 2020). Restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) are two more common sleep disorders among elderly people, which are characterized by discomfort in the legs and involuntary leg movements during sleep. These disorders can cause disturbed sleep and daytime tiredness.
Contributing Factors
Many factors play a role in the development and aggravation of sleep disorders in older persons. Age-related changes in sleep architecture, including reduced slow-wave sleep and elevated nighttime awakenings, are believed to increase sleep disturbances in the elderly (Pavlova & Latreille, 2019). Notably, comorbid medical conditions commonly seen among this population, including chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders, can directly affect sleep quality.
Another important factor that contributes to sleep disorders among older adults is the use of drugs. Some medications given for the management of elderly people’s age-related conditions, such as painkillers, antidepressants, and antihypertensive drugs, can cause side effects that lead to sleep disruption or worsening of existing sleep disorders. Psychosocial factors, among them stress, anxiety, and depression, are also closely associated with sleeping disorders in older adults.
Potential Management Strategies
The management of sleep disorders in elderly individuals requires a multi-dimensional approach that considers both the basic reason(s) and associated symptoms of the condition. Non-pharmacological interventions like CBT-I are proven to help improve sleep quality and duration of elderly people (Miner & Kryger, 2020). CBT-I, on the other hand, concentrates on the identification and alteration of maladaptive sleep habits and thoughts, the application of relaxation techniques, and the creation of a daily sleep schedule.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment in the case of sleep apnea, with particular emphasis on obstructive sleep apnea (Besag et al., 2019). Nevertheless, CPAP adherence may be an issue for some elderly people because the therapy can be uncomfortable and claustrophobic. In the circumstance where a person’s medication use has an impact on their sleep, medication review and adjustments must be done. Healthcare providers should evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of each prescription medication and always try to choose alternative therapies that are less likely to disrupt sleep. Treating primary medical and psychiatric conditions is the basis of treatment of sleep disorders in old people.
Conclusion
Sleep disorders are prevalent among seniors and may cause serious consequences regarding their health and general well-being. Understanding the prevalence, etiology, and management strategies for these disorders is essential for health professionals to provide holistic care for the elderly with sleep disorders. Through implementing evidence-based interventions that also address the underlying medical and psychosocial factors, healthcare professionals can assist older adults with better sleep and the overall betterment of their lives.
References
Besag, F. M., Vasey, M. J., Lao, K. S., & Wong, I. C. (2019). Adverse events associated with melatonin for the treatment of primary or secondary sleep disorders: a systematic review. CNS drugs, 33, 1167-1186.
Miner, B., & Kryger, M. H. (2020). Sleep in the aging population. Sleep medicine clinics, 15(2), 311-318.
Pavlova, M. K., & Latreille, V. (2019). Sleep disorders. The American journal of medicine, 132(3), 292-299.
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