INSOMNIA & AGING Insomnia becomes more common with age. As you get older, you may experience: ·Changes in sleep patterns. Sleep often becomes less restful as you age, so noise or other changes in your environment are more likely to wake you. With age, your internal clock often advances, so you get tired earlier in the evening and wake up earlier in the morning. But older people generally still need the same amount of sleep as younger people do. Changes in activity. You may be less physically or socially active. A lack of activity can interfere with a good night's sleep. Also, the less active you are, the more likely you may be to take a daily nap, which can interfere with sleep at night. Changes in health. Chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis or back problems, as well as depression or anxiety, can interfere with sleep. Issues that increase the need to urinate during the night — such as prostate or bladder problems — can disrupt sleep. Sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome become more common with age. More medications. Older people typically use more prescription drugs than younger people do, which increases the chance of insomnia associated with medications. RISK FACTORS · You're a woman. Hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle and in menopause may play a role. During menopause, night sweats and hot flashes often disrupt sleep. Insomnia is also common in pregnancy. You're over age 60. Because of changes in sleep patterns and health, insomnia increases with age. You have a mental health disorder or physical health condition. Many issues that impact your mental or physical health can disrupt sleep. You're under a lot of stress. Stressful times and events can cause temporary insomnia. And major or long-lasting stress can lead to chronic insomnia. You don't have a regular schedule. For example, changing shifts at work or traveling can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.
Chronic insomnia may also be associated with medical conditions or the use of certain drugs. Treating the medical condition may help improve sleep, but insomnia may persist after the medical condition improves. ·Mental health disorders. Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, may disrupt your sleep. Awakening too early can be a sign of depression. Insomnia often occurs with other mental health disorders as well. Medications. Many prescription drugs can interfere with sleep, such as certain antidepressants and medications for asthma or blood pressure. Many over-the-counter medications — such as some pain medications, allergy and cold medications, and weight-loss products — contain caffeine and other stimulants that can disrupt sleep. Medical conditions. Examples of conditions linked with insomnia include chronic pain, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), overactive thyroid, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Sleep-related disorders. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing periodically throughout the night, interrupting your sleep. Restless legs syndrome causes unpleasant sensations in your legs and an almost irresistible desire to move them, which may prevent you from falling asleep. Additional common causes of insomnia include: Caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Coffee, tea, cola, and other caffeinated drinks are stimulants. Drinking them in the late afternoon or evening can keep you from falling asleep at night. Nicotine in tobacco products is another stimulant that can interfere with sleep. Alcohol may help you fall asleep, but it prevents deeper stages of sleep and often causes awakening in the middle of the night.
8 | TNT MAGAZINE
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator