How to avoid sleep disorders after the age of 60
Over the years, sleep comes later in the night and, at the same time, the internal clock starts working earlier in the morning. So the duration of the rest and the quality of this is deteriorating more and more. Why does sleep worsen with age? This is one of the main problems suffered by older people and that most affects their day to day.
Linked to aging is a tendency to sleep less and worse, which ends up leading to a sleep disorder that has considerable consequences in the daily routine of the elderly. The weakening of the immune system, the hindering of physiological functions, an increased risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases or the appearance of anxiety or depressive symptoms are some of them.
The main reason has to do with the physiological changes that aging produces. These affect the activity of a group of neurons responsible for acting as an alarm clock for the body. However, there are other factors that also affect the deterioration of sleep. A very common one has to do with certain diseases typical of the elderly, such as osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s or urinary incontinence. However, psychological pathologies such as depression or anxiety may also be behind this. As well as sleep disorders, for example, apnea or restless legs.
To deal with insomnia in an elderly person, it is necessary to take into account what factors influence it, or what are the possible risk factors to be faced through prevention. In any case, good sleep hygiene is often helpful for those who have difficulty sleeping. This implies respecting a regular sleep schedule, that is, going to bed and getting up every day at the same time. This way the body will get used to this routine and will create a kind of internal clock. To achieve this, one tip is to avoid naps or nodding during the day, so it will be easier to sleep at night.
The space in which you are going to sleep is also important to be properly prepared. The idea is to remove sources of noise or light that may be distracting. So the environment should remain silent and dark, making it easier to fall asleep. The same happens with screens, such as televisions or mobile phones, they should be avoided before going to sleep. Of course, no stimulating drinks and neither those that contain alcohol.
