Sleep Problems
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Sleep and Aging
There are two kinds of sleep in a normal sleep cycle - rapid eye movement or dreaming sleep (REM) and quiet sleep (non-REM). Everyone has about four or five cycles of REM and non-REM sleep a night. For older people, the amount of time spent in the deepest stages of non-REM sleep decreases. This may explain why older people are thought of as light sleepers. Although the amount of sleep each person needs varies widely, the average range is between 7 and 8 hours a night. As we age, the amount of sleep we can expect to get at any one time drops off. By age 75, for many reasons, some people may find they are waking up several times each night. But, no matter what your age, talk to a doctor if your sleep patterns change. Common Sleep Problems
At any age, insomnia is the most common sleep complaint. Insomnia means:
Insomnia can be linked with other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, a common problem that causes breathing to stop for periods of up to 2 minutes, many times each night. There are two kinds of sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea is an involuntary pause in breathing - air cannot flow in or out of the person's nose or mouth. Central sleep apnea is less common and occurs when the brain doesn't send the right signals to start the breathing muscles. In either case, the sleeper is totally unaware of his or her struggle to breathe. Daytime sleepiness coupled with loud snoring at night are clues that you may have sleep apnea. A doctor specializing in sleep disorders can make a diagnosis and recommend treatment. Treatments include learning to sleep in the correct position, devices that help keep your airways open, medication, and surgery.
Suggestions for a Good Night's Sleep
A good night's sleep can make a big difference in how you feel. Here are some suggestions to help you:
If you are so tired during the day that you cannot function normally and if this lasts for more than 2 to 3 weeks, you should see your family doctor or a sleep disorders specialist.
Additional Information Sources
For general information about sleep, contact the following organizations:
American Sleep Apnea Association
1424 K Street NW
Suite 302
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-293-3650
Website: http://www.sleepapnea.org
Email: asaa@sleepapnea.orgBetter Sleep Council
501 Wythe Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703-683-8371
Website: http://www.bettersleep.orgNarcolepsy Network
10921 Reed Hartman Highway
Suite 119
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
513-891-3522
Website: http://www.narcolepsynetwork.orgNational Center for Sleep Disorders Research
Two Rockledge Center, Suite 10038
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7920
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7920
301-435-0199
Website: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/research/funding/recovery/index.htmNational Sleep Foundation
1522 K Street, NW
Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20005-1253
202-347-3471
Website: http://www.sleepfoundation.orgRestless Legs Syndrome Foundation
819 Second Street SW
Rochester, Minnesota 559002
507-287-6465
Website: http://www.rls.org
Email: rlsfoundation@rls.orgSleep Disorders Dental Society
11676 Perry Highway
Bldg. 1, Suite 1204
Wexford, Pennsylvania 15090
724-935-0836
Website: http://www.thesdds.orgThe National Institute on Aging offers a variety of information about health and aging. For a list of publications, contact:
The National Institute on Aging Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20898-8057
1-800-222-2225
1-800-222-4225 (TTY)
Website: http://www.nih.gov/nia
National Institute on Aging U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service National Institutes of Health May 2000
This publication sourced from the National Institute on Aging.