Insomnia in Elderly Adults: Why Seniors are often Sleep-Deprived

Are you in your old age and struggling with sleep, or are you trying very hard to stay awake? 

Why Are Older Adults Often Insomniac?

People face these problems in their old age, but there is no need to worry. It is entirely typical, but it will significantly differ when you do something about it. 

Sleep has to be natural at any age, and it is normal not to sleep sometimes. 

But if being awake continues for days and weeks, there seems to be a problem commonly referred to as "Insomnia."

Some of you might have heard someone saying that she/he has Insomnia, or you could also have thought of or called yourself an Insomniac.  

But are we fully aware of what Insomnia refers to? If you have Insomnia, then this article is for you. 

We will have a deeper look at the symptoms experienced by older adults' insomniacs and what shall be done?  

Firstly, What is Insomnia? 

In simple terms, Insomnia means sleeplessness. It is a sleep disorder in which the person has trouble falling and staying asleep for long periods of days and sometimes weeks that affects sleep cycles.  

The senior adults above 55 years old face symptoms like feeling drowsy during the daytime, high fatigue levels, waking up after short periods, irritation, and a feeling depressed/stressed.  

Insomnia can be fugitive. It can last for days or weeks or withstand for more than a month and in extreme cases. 

What Causes Insomnia in older adults? 

The causes of Insomnia include:

· Stress.

· An irregular sleep schedule.

· Mediocre sleeping habits.

· Excessive medication.

· Lack of exercise.

· Menopause in women.  

Older adults who have Insomnia always remain anxious about their sleep. Lack of sleep causes fatigue, resulting in loss of concentration. 

Insomnia causes mental as well as physical stress to the body. 

Effects on Elderly Adults? 

According to the statistics, about 30% of older adults are affected by Insomnia, and 12% of them by insomnia disorder.  

The prevalence of Insomnia is more intense in older people as compared to the other age members.  

The reasons could be physiological changes in sleep pattern and framework concerning aging, high medical morbidity, multiple medications, loneliness, and environmental factors leading to sleep disruptions. 

Are you in the late senior adult phase and are bothered about your health? Do you suffer from insufficient sleep and want to soothe yourself with efficient solutions?

Suitably, we entirely acknowledge your concern and are here to help you.

Here are three simple ways to treat Insomnia

1. Self-care 

The initial step towards enhancing one's physical and mental health is by providing oneself with adequate care. 

To stay fit, we have to maintain healthy self-care habits, such as regular bedtime plan and circumventing naps.

You should avoid indulging in unhealthy habits. Excessive caffeine intake, watching television, using a mobile phone, laptop, or any radiation-emitting devices before bedtime, etc., should strictly be avoided. 

Sleep cycles to be maintained accordingly. Regular constant sleep is essential to maintain the equilibrium of the body and the mind. 

The perfection of rest is a fine line between lifestyle and work, must be made. 

Generally, the entanglement of work and personal needs causes stress.  

Workaholics get so overburdened that they often ignore themselves for the work. Always prioritize. 

Once you set yourself as your supreme priority and schedule a healthy routine and follow it regularly, an abundance of health follows you.

2. Therapies

Light therapy is effective in Insomnia. It pertains to exposure to bright light using a device that is called a lightbox. It mimics natural sunlight.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy ( CBT) is talk therapy which entirely focuses on modifying pessimistic thoughts, attitudes, and emotional reactions similar to psychological discomfort

If your Insomnia is deep-rooted or prominent, then therapy is a convenient alternative.  

As a part of therapy, you can also try some relaxation techniques. Doing meditation for at least 15 min a day can also help in curing Insomnia.  

3. Mattress 

If any of the above isn't working, maybe it's time to change and look for a new mattress.  

A comfortable mattress according to your needs is the only gateway to good sleep. 

However, an uncomfortable mattress can take a toll on your sleep. 

A memory foam mattress is used for neck and back pain as they provide all the comfort that is suitable for a good night's sleep. 

With this, we come to the closure. We hope that this could have been of some help to you. If you adhere to the suggestions mentioned and cultivate them in your lifestyle, it would lead you to success. 

However, a comfortable, good quality, and durable mattress will also help you attain a sound, sweet and relaxed sleep.

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Created on Feb 11th 2021 03:59. Viewed 364 times.

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Finch Loe  I'm A Professional Pharmacist. How You Can Treat Insomnia Easily Insomnia can be defined as a condition in which a person is unable to get adequate sleep due to various reasons. Initially, severe insomnia symptoms may not require adequate treatment. If a person feels tired and cannot perform his physical activities during the day, he should buy sleeping pills for a short time as per his doctor or therapist. Lack of sleep affects you in many ways. It can cause you many physical and mental health problems. Mental health problems include depression, anxiety, and stress, while physical problems can include heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Zolpidem Tartrate is an excellent drug used to treat insomnia in individuals. This sleep aid can be purchased online from Pharma Health Online. Source: pharmahealthonline.com/sleeping-aid/how-you-can-treat-insomnia-in-your-home/ pharmahealthonline.com/shop/sleeping-aid/zolpidem-10-mg/ Sep 10th 2022 09:19