When Night-Waking Becomes a Problem

vnsny.org

“Alcohol, caffeine, certain medications, or medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, chronic pain, and prostatism, a bladder problem, can cause these sleep issues in the elderly,” Dr. Coletta says. “Here, treatment would include avoiding alcohol and caffeine, identifying and removing the offending medications, as well as medical treatment of the underlying diseases.”

Read - Steps to Becoming a Patient Advocate or Navigator

Another major cause of problematic sleep is dementia. “With senility, a patient loses control of his or her sleep-wake cycles. He or she may sleep during the day and therefore much less at night. This often makes a person more and more sleep-deprived, leading to further inability to maintain proper sleep,” Dr. Coletta says. Medications can sometimes help in these circumstances.

Read - Teenagers Are Sexting — Now What?

No matter one’s age or reason for sleep issues, good sleep habits are a must. “It’s important to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, engage in something relaxing prior to bedtime, avoid watching TV or looking at the computer in bed, exercise daily, and maintain a sleep-inviting environment, such as a dark bedroom.”