Sleep disorders in the elderly involve any disruptive pattern of sleep such as problems with falling or staying asleep, excessive sleep, or abnormal behaviors associated with sleep.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Sleeping problems are common in the elderly. In general, older people require less sleep, and their sleep is less deep than that experienced by the young. Some causes or contributors to
- A need to
urinate frequently at night - Chronic pain caused by diseases such as
arthritis - Chronic diseases such as
congestive heart failure -
Depression (depression is a common cause of sleep problems among people of all ages) - Neurological conditions
-
Alzheimer's disease -
Organic brain syndrome
- Chronic diseases such as
- Prescription drugs, recreational drugs, or alcohol
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Stimulants such as
caffeine
