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 of and
contributors to
- Sedentary lifestyle
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Depression among the elderly (depression is a common cause of sleep problems among people of all ages.) - Chronic pain caused by diseases such as
arthritis - Chronic diseases such as
congestive heart failure - A need to
urinate frequently at night - Stimulants such as
caffeine - Prescription drugs, recreational drugs, or alcohol
- Neurological conditions
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Alzheimer's disease -
Organic brain syndrome
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