Why Most Old Folks Have Problem Sleeping

g problems in the elderly are more than likely toRe the old remedy of a glass of milk before bed:
manifest in a particular pattern, depending on theAccording to Jean Carper, The Food Pharmacy,
health of the person, and the prescription drugsmilk for insomniacs,never!
they may be taking for their health problems.TheMilk, particularly low fat milk wakes you up. " Milk
quality of their sleep may change considerably,deliver tyrosine to the brain, which in turn triggers
either because of less demands on their energyproduction of dopamine and norepinephrine,
as a result of retirement, or through illness.stimulating you to think more quickly, and
Illness disrupts sleep patters in the elderly, andaccurately".
may result in increased awakenings due toSo how can sleep problems in the elderly be
physical discomfort.Urinary urgency, cramps,resolved? Firstly, a warm comfortable noise free
angina,chronic obstructive airways disease,and leftenvironment, regular exercise, good diet, no
ventricular failure may be some of the manyheavy meals at night, no eating late at night,
illnesses which cause sleep problems in the elderly.relaxation therapies, aromatherapy, herbs like
An elderly person may become very anxiousvalerian may be taken as a tea, provided that
about a change in their sleep pattern, however, ityour doctor has been consulted. Homeopathy is
will be necessary to thoroughly investigate thethe cheapest, the least invasive, the most gentle,
problem in order to ascertain if this perceivedwith no side effects, and no interactions with any
sleeping problem, causes dysfunction in theirdrugs you may be taking. No homeopathic
waking activities.If the elderly person has a carer,remedies are recommended here for it is
or lives with family then the problem may beimportant to consult a qualified homeopath in
easier to assess, for what appears to be aorder to achieve the best outcome for the
problem may only be a normal change in sleeppatient.
pattern for the age.Sleep problems in the elderly should be thoroughly
The most frequently occurring sleep problem ininvestigated before any medications are
the elderly appears to be sleep latency, theprescribed. Unfortunately this is not always the
person may spend some hours in bed beforeprocedure that is adopted, for often a script is
sleep occurs. This may be perceived by thewritten for what has been described as insomnia
elderly person to be a problem, and sleeping pillsby the elderly person, however, such is mostly
may be sought.Sleep latency is more common innot the case, but rather it's a normal progression
females, and this appears to apply in all ageof a resetting of the circadian rhythms which
groups, not just to elderly persons,however, itrequires education, not medication.
does occur more often in elderly females.Provided that there is no evidence of disease of
Possibly reduced daytime activity,combined withthe central nervous system, such as dementia,
daytime naps may contribute to reduced qualityParkinson's disease, post-traumatic brain damage ,
of sleep in the elderly. The pressure of a normaland chronic pain, then sleep problems in the elderly
working day has been taken away, so the energyare far better managed conservatively.
output is considerably less, while this may beTo learn about what is fibroid, intramural fibroid,
offered as a possible reason for sleep latency,laryngitis, is laryngitis contagious , what is laryngitis
many others factors may be involved.and other information, visit the Health And
There may be much confusion about sleepNutrition Tips website.
latency, the difficulty may be exaggeratedReport this article
because the person who experiences it may beThis article is free for republishing
convinced that unless they have 8 hours ofSource:
quality sleep, they will become ill.Sometimes it isRepublish this article
difficult to convince an elderly person that they noAsk a Question About this Article
longer require 8 hours of unbroken sleep, but may>> My Dad is going to have to have his
be better served by a shorter night time sleepwisdom teeth ...
supplemented with day time naps.