Health Notes are quick references to a variety of health issues. They are added regularly and there is no specific order although we try to present articles which are seasonal in nature. As with many of our health related articles please consult with your physician before taking medication or changing treatments.
Sleep disorders can make it hard to fall asleep and feel drowsy during the day. The most common sleep disorders among older adults are insomnia, sleep disordered breathing, such as snoring and sleep apnea, and
movement disorders like restless legs syndrome.
Insomnia
Insomnia is the most common sleep complaint at any age. It affects almost half of adults 60 and older.
If you have insomnia, you may experience any one
or any combination of the following symptoms;
• Taking a long time -- more than 30 to 45 minutes to
fall asleep
• Waking up many times each night
• Waking up early and being unable to get back to sleep
• Waking up feeling tired, and unable to function well
during the day
Many older people also have habits that make it more difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Habits such as napping during the day, lack of exercise, caffeine, and alcohol consumption can all contribute to insomnia.
Lastly, a variety of different medications that may negatively affect sleep. Many medications have side effects that can cause sleepiness or affect daytime functioning.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is more common among older adults and among people who are significantly overweight. Obstructive sleep apnea can increase a person’s risk for high blood pressure, strokes, heart disease, and cognitive problems.
Movement Disorders
Two movement disorders that can make it harder to
sleep include restless legs syndrome, or RLS, and
periodic limb movement disorder, or PLMD. Both of these conditions cause people to move their limbs when they sleep, leading to poor sleep and daytime drowsiness.
Restless legs syndrome is a common condition in older adults and affects more than 15 percent of people 80 years and older. People with RLS experience uncomfortable feelings in their legs such as tingling, crawling, or pins and needles. Periodic limb movement disorder, or PLMD, is a condition that causes people to jerk and kick their legs every 20 to 40 seconds during sleep.
Source:http://nihseniorhealth.gov/sleepandaging/sleepdisorders/01.html
How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
A medical examination of a person suffering from Sleep Apnea may reveal no characteristic physical abnormalities while the person is awake. The condition is best detected by examining/observing the person while they are asleep. Specially trained sleep technicians monitor a person’s sleep. Results from the sleep tests, a sleep questionnaire, and past medical information are used to help ensure a precise diagnosis. The Benedictine Sleep Apnea and Snoring Center maintains a “state-of-the art” Advanced Computer Assisted Sleep Analysis System. The Center’s homelike accommodations are designed to create
a comfortable “homey” atmosphere for patients who are staying for overnight polysomnography monitoring.
For more information please call
Benedictine’s Sleep Apnea and Snoring Center
(845) 334-3126