SLEEP DISORDERS IN THE ELDERLY
by Niru Prasad, MD, FAAP, PACEP
Department of Emergency Medicine
Henry Ford Hospital-West Bloomfield Center
Department of Pediatrics and Urgent Care Center
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital-Pontiac
Common sleep disorders in the elderly are due to the
following facts:
1. The percentage of dream sleep decreases with age. As
we grow older, we sleep less.
2. Over-the-counter sleep medications, if taken
over long periods, have adverse effects on health.
3. A heart or lung condition or depression will affect
sleep patterns.
4. Taking too much tea, coffee or alcohol affects your
sleep at night.
5. Sleeping pills impair your coordination which
increases the risk of falling and breaking bones.
They may also cause daytime drowsiness or sleep.
How to get a better sleep at night:
1. Avoid arguments or major discussions before bedtime.
2. Try going to bed at the same time every night.
3. Wear comfortable loose night clothes.
4. Keep bedding and pillows comfortable.
5. Use your shades and curtains to darken the room.
6. Avoid heavy meals at night. Try a light snack or
glass of warm milk before bedtime.
7. Drink less liquid after supper in order to reduce the
frequency of urination at night.
8. Avoid daytime sleep.
9. Avoid alcohol before bedtime. Once the effect of
alcohol wears off, you will wake up.
10. Try to exercise daily.
11. Create a relaxing mental routine before bedtime by
reading or watching television.
12. If you are unable to sleep, go to another room for a
change for relaxing.
Ear wax is normally produced by the outer two-thirds of
the ear canal. Excess build-up of the wax may cause
hearing loss.
1. Do not use a Q-Tip or bobby pin to remove wax.
2. To prevent ear wax build-up, you may occasionally use
a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide to 9 parts
water to the ears and let it drain out.
3. For earaches, itching, discharge or hearing deficit,
seek medical help immediately.
ATROPHIC VAGINITIS
1. The walls of the vagina become thin and secrete less
discharge after menopause due to estrogen deficiency.
2. Symptoms include burning during urination, watery
discharge and pain during intercourse.
3. Seek medical help since a local estrogen cream or
lubricant should relieve symptoms.
4. Drink plenty of fluids to reduce the burning during
urination.
TREMORS
1. Tremors involving any part of the body generally
develop in elderly people in their sixth or seventh
decade of life.
2. Tremors involving the head or hands interfere with
eating or drinking and often increase with
emotional excitement. Generalized tremors interfere
with walking, causing accidents due to falls.
3. Seek medical and neurological help since medication
can sometimes help reduce symptoms.
CERUMEN (EAR WAX) IMPACTION
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