Question

I am a student in year 11 undertaking a research regarding insomnia in elderly, how this illness affect them, and the most effective methods cure/preventing risks caused by this sleep disorder. I have four questions that I would be very grateful if you could answer. What are the impacts of insomnia in elderly and what other illnesses can evolve from this disease? Can it lead to death?
Are there any specific triggers (such as the health of the individual) that increase the chances of experiencing these symptoms and what are the most common in this specific demographic?
Are there any aspects relating to the health of the elderly impacting how prone they are to this illness? What are they?
What methods are used to cure this sleep illness and which are most effective?

Dr.Udaya Nath Sahoo · Accepted Answer

Hello,
Thanks for your query on Lybrate
"As" per your clinical query is concerned please follow your answer as below-
1) The impact of insomnia on old age is -Irritability, Depression or anxiety, Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks or remembering, Increased errors, Tension headaches, Distress in the stomach and intestines, overweight, Increased risk and severity of long-term diseases or conditions, such as high blood pressure, Heart disease and Diabetes etc
2) As per your question, all the problems can be managed and prevented and I do not agree on death.
3) The most common causes which lead to insomnia are -
A) Stress. Concerns about work, school, health or family can keep your mind active at night, making it difficult to sleep. B) Anxiety. Everyday anxieties as well as more-serious anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, may disrupt your asleep. Worry about being able to go to sleep can make it harder to fall asleep.
C) Depression. You might either sleep too much or have trouble sleeping if you're depressed. Insomnia often occurs with other mental health disorders as well. Medical conditions. If you have chronic pain, breathing difficulties or a need to urinate frequently, you might develop Insomnia. Examples of conditions linked with Insomnia include Arthritis, Cancer, Heart failure, lung disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), overactive thyroid, Stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
D) Change in your environment or work schedule. Travel or working a late or early shift can disrupt your body's circadian rhythms, making it difficult to sleep. Your circadian rhythms act as an internal clock, guiding such things as your sleep-wake cycle, metabolism and body temperature.
E) Poor sleep habits. Poor sleep habits include an irregular sleep schedule, stimulating activities before bed, an uncomfortable sleep environment, and use of your bed for activities other than sleep or sex.
Many prescription drugs can interfere with sleep, including some antidepressants, heart and blood pressure medications, allergy medications, stimulants, and corticosteroids. Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications including some pain medication combinations, decongestants, and weight-loss products contain caffeine and other stimulants.
F) Coffee, tea, cola and other caffeine-containing drinks are well-known stimulants. Drinking coffee in the late afternoon and later can keep you from falling asleep at night. Nicotine in tobacco products is another stimulant that can cause Insomnia. Alcohol is a sedative that may help you fall asleep, but it prevents deeper stages of sleep and often causes you to awaken in the middle of the night.
G) Eating too much late in the evening. Having a light snack before bedtime is OK, but eating too much may cause you to feel physically uncomfortable while lying down, making it difficult to get to sleep. Many people also experience Heartburn, a backflow of acid and food from the stomach into the esophagus after eating, which may keep you awake.
There is no specific demographic area for it.
Lastly, regarding treatment, I may say go to the exact cause and modify lifestyle like this before taking any medications -
1) Exercise and stay active. Activity helps promote a good night's sleep. Get at least 20 to 30 minutes of vigorous exercise daily at least five to six hours before bedtime.
2) Check your medications. If you take medications regularly, check with your doctor to see if they may be contributing to your Insomnia. Also check the labels of OTC products to see if they contain caffeine or other stimulants, such as pseudoephedrine.
3) Avoid or limit naps. Naps can make it harder to fall asleep at night. If you can't get by without one, try to limit a nap to no more than 30 minutes and don't nap after 3 p.m.
4) Avoid or limit caffeine and alcohol and don't use nicotine. All of these can make it harder to sleep. Avoid caffeine after lunchtime. Avoiding alcohol can help prevent restless sleep and frequent awakenings.
5) Don't put up with pain. If a painful condition bothers you, make sure the pain reliever you take is effective enough to control pain while you're sleeping.
6) Stick to a sleep schedule. Keep your bedtime and wake time consistent from day to day, including on weekends.
7) Avoid large meals and beverages before bed. A light snack is fine. But avoid eating too much late in the evening to reduce the chance of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and improve sleep. Drink less before bedtime so that you won't have to urinate as often.
8) Use your bed and bedroom only for sleeping or sex. Don't read, work or eat in bed. Avoid TV, computers, video games, smartphones or other screens just before bed, as the light can interfere with your sleep cycle.
Make your bedroom comfortable for sleep. Close your bedroom door or create a subtle background noise, such as a running fan, to help drown out other noises. Keep your bedroom temperature comfortable, usually cooler than during the day, and dark. Don't keep a computer or a TV in your bedroom.
9) Hide the bedroom clocks. Set your alarm so that you know when to get up, but then hide all clocks in your bedroom, including your wristwatch and cellphone, so you don't worry about what time it is.
10) Find ways to relax. Try to put your worries and planning aside when you get into bed. A warm bath or a massage before bedtime can help prepare you for sleep. Create a relaxing bedtime ritual, such as reading, soft music, breathing exercises, yoga or prayer.
11) Avoid trying too hard to sleep. The harder you try, the more awake you'll become. Read in another room until you become very drowsy, then go to bed to sleep. Get out of bed when you're not sleeping. Sleep as much as you need to feel rested, and then get out of bed. If you can't sleep, get out of bed after 20 minutes and do something relaxing, such as reading. Then try again to get to sleep.
Hope that helps.

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