Sleep problems refer to difficulties in falling asleep, staying asleep, or achieving restful sleep, which can affect overall health, mood, and daily functioning.
Tips & Links
People of all ages can have sleep changes due to stress, their environment, health factors, hormone changes or a variety of other reasons.
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- High levels of stress or anxiety can make it difficult to relax and fall asleep, while persistent pain conditions can interfere with the ability to find a comfortable sleeping position and stay asleep.
- Irregular sleep schedules, excessive screen time before bed, or an uncomfortable sleep environment can contribute to sleep problems.
- Certain medications, such as stimulants, antidepressants, or painkillers, can interfere with sleep. Consuming caffeine or alcohol close to bedtime can disrupt sleep cycles and affect sleep quality. Learn more from HereToHelp from the Government of BC.
- Depression can cause either insomnia or excessive sleeping, both of which disrupt normal sleep patterns.
- As people age, sleep patterns often change, with older adults experiencing lighter, less restorative sleep. factors, including health conditions, medications, frequent use of the washroom through the night, pain, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, reduced melatonin production, and neurological changes like Alzheimer’s and dementia, can contribute to sleep disturbances.
- Learn about sleep apnea, a condition where breathing temporarily stops during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue.
Things You Can Do
- Read about sleep disturbance and sleep hygiene including tips for improving your sleep from Healthlink BC.
- Learn about sleep hygiene suggestions such as regular physical activity, bedtime routines, reducing alcohol and stimulants, and limiting liquids after dinner.
- Consider getting a sleep apnea assessment if you or your spouse are experiencing symptoms – it can be life-threatening as recommended by the Government of BC.
- If you are a caregiver for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, learn about common sleep issues and the sundowning effect from Healthlink BC.
- If your sleep changes are severe, consider getting a medical evaluation to help identify and manage possible underlying conditions.
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Categories: My Health Information, Senior
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