People are lucky if they can sleep easily. However, evidence shows that sleeping pattern starts to change as the person begins to age. But the question is, how does sleep change with ageing? Keep reading if you want to find out.
As a human body grows old; it encounters many physiological and psychological issues, lack of sleep is one of those major problems.
The sleep cycles start changing with the passing age due to various internal and external factors. With every passing day after a certain age, people start sleeping lesser than they earlier used to.
One of the major reasons people lose sleep as they age is a decrease in their human growth hormone levels. This has been clear by health experts as the decrease in the production of human growth hormone affects also the production of melatonin.
Melatonin is the complete opposite of serotonin. When you have a lot of serotonins, your mind becomes alert and this will keep you awake. But when you have a lot of melatonin, your mind and body become relaxed and it is easier to fall asleep.
Melatonin is very necessary for a restful and peaceful sleep. Without enough melatonin, old people tend to fall asleep with great difficulty, and even when they are asleep, they get woken up very easily.
According to insights from Healthline, melatonin assists in initiating the sleep process. When melatonin levels increase, it triggers drowsiness and diminishes alertness, simplifying the process of falling asleep. This is particularly vital for achieving a seamless transition from wakefulness to slumber. In cases where there is insufficient melatonin, older individuals may encounter increased difficulty in falling asleep.
So then, with this pattern, old people tend to feel tired more because their sleep is not restful enough.
If an older person doesn’t do anything to try and improve his or her human growth hormone levels, he or she may struggle with sleep loss for a long time.
It can’t be helped as the production of human growth hormones also declines as a person continues to get older. Meanwhile, if you continue to lose sleep, your golden age may turn out to be quite dark instead.
Some studies have been done and articles written on the relationship between sleep and aging. These include:
Age-related changes in sleep: A comparison of actigraphy and subjective measures” by Sleep Medicine: This study was conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Diego, including Christina S. McCrae, Cathy Alessi, and Sonia Ancoli-Israel.
The study aimed to compare objective measures of sleep (using actigraphy, which measures movement) to subjective measures (using self-report) in younger and older adults.
The study found that older adults had more fragmented sleep than younger adults, as measured by both objective and subjective measures. Older adults also tended to have more awakenings during the night and spent less time in deep sleep.
Also, there is a review entitled “The effects of aging on sleep architecture” by Sleep Medicine Clinics: This review article was written by sleep experts from the University of Michigan, including Ronald D. Chervin and K. Luan Phan.
This review article discusses how sleep architecture changes with age, including changes in the amount and distribution of different stages of sleep.
The article notes that older adults tend to have more light sleep and less deep sleep than younger adults, and that these changes may be related to alterations in the circadian system and other physiological factors.
The authors suggest that addressing underlying medical conditions and promoting healthy lifestyle habits may help improve sleep quality in older adults.
There are various kinds of changes in the sleep patterns with aging; most of the people have no issue with a total time of sleep, however, their sleep is not uninterrupted; it is rather in multiple intervals.
There might be many reasons behind such problems; some people become diabetic in old age and some encounter various other health deterioration issues.
Some old age people lose control of their urination cycles due to which they have to regularly disrupt their sleep cycle.
Some old age people might be having certain disabilities or disorders due to which the sleep gets changed either in terms of total sleep time, the sleep intervals, or disruptions in the sleep process.
For good brain health in old age; sufficient and quality sleep is very important; therefore, changes in sleep, if observed, are to be taken very seriously at this stage.
As outlined in a publication from NIH News in Health, sleep plays a role in the regulation of inflammation throughout the body. Persistent inflammation is linked to a range of age-related ailments, including those impacting the brain. Attaining high-quality sleep helps mitigate inflammation, supporting brain health and diminishing the likelihood of neurological conditions.
There are many factors due to which sleep changes with aging; physiological changes in human anatomy can have a great impact on sleep.
Different types of pains, discomfort, and physical disabilities lead to a lack of sleep with aging. Various neurological disorders, joint pains, and disturbing levels of essential fluids can also contribute to sleep disturbances.
Psychological problems and disorders associated with old age psychology also deteriorates the sleeping conditions and can be a major or contributory factor reason for lack of sleep with the aging.
In accordance with insights from the Sleep Foundation, depression is a prevalent psychological concern among older adults. This condition can result in alterations in sleep patterns, which may manifest as either insomnia, characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, or hypersomnia, where individuals experience excessive sleep or prolonged daytime sleepiness. The interplay between sleep disturbances and depression often intensifies feelings of sadness and hopelessness, creating a self-reinforcing cycle that can be challenging to break.
Changes in daily routine also impact the sleep patterns as in old age people usually get retired from their jobs and their whole routine gets changed; this also leaves a significant impact on sleep and awake timings with every passing day.
Other factors include:
Changes in Circadian Rhythms
As we age, our internal body clock, known as the circadian rhythm, may shift. This can lead to an earlier bedtime and an earlier wake-up time. This change can be attributed to a decline in the production of the hormone melatonin, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
Additionally, exposure to natural light during the day can help regulate the circadian rhythm and promote better sleep at night.
Decreased Melatonin Production
Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. As we age, our bodies produce less melatonin, which can lead to difficulty falling asleep.
This can be compounded by changes in the circadian rhythm, which can cause older adults to feel sleepy earlier in the evening.
Reduced Deep Sleep
Deep sleep is the most restorative stage of sleep, during which the body repairs and regenerates tissues, strengthens the immune system, and consolidates memories.
As we age, the amount of deep sleep we get decreases. Daytime drowsiness and weariness may result from this.
Increased Sensitivity to Environmental Factors
Older adults may be more sensitive to noise, light, and temperature changes that can disturb their sleep. Creating a comfortable sleep environment, including using blackout curtains and earplugs, can help mitigate these effects.
Medication Side Effects
Many medications commonly prescribed to older adults can interfere with sleep, causing drowsiness during the day or insomnia at night. Some medications that can affect sleep include antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and corticosteroids.
It is important for older adults to talk to their healthcare provider about any medication-related sleep disturbances and explore alternative treatments if necessary.
SIMILAR QUESTION
How Does Sleep Change With Aging?
Introduction
Sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, and it has been known to increase overall wellbeing. As we age, however, we may experience changes in our sleep patterns and habits that can affect our quality of life. In this paper, we will explore how sleep changes with aging, and discuss the potential causes and effects of these changes.
Changes in Sleep with Aging
Aging is often accompanied by a decrease in the amount of time we spend sleeping, as well as changes in the quality of our sleep. As we age, we tend to spend less time in deep sleep and more time in light sleep. This can lead to feelings of sleepiness during the day and difficulty staying asleep at night. Additionally, older adults tend to experience more fragmented sleep, which means they may wake up more frequently throughout the night. These changes can lead to an overall decrease in the quality of sleep.
Causes of Sleep Changes with Aging
There are many potential causes of sleep changes with aging. One of the most common is the decrease in production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Additionally, older adults may experience chronic illnesses and medications that can disrupt their natural sleep patterns. Other causes of sleep disruption in the elderly include age-related changes in metabolism and the physiological effects of stress and anxiety.
Effects of Sleep Changes on Health
Sleep changes with aging can have a significant impact on an individual’s health and wellbeing. Poor sleep can lead to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and an increased risk of falls. Additionally, sleep loss has been linked to an increased risk of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, poor sleep can lead to an increased risk of depression and cognitive decline.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sleep changes significantly with aging. These changes can lead to an overall decrease in the quality of sleep, which can have a negative impact on an individual’s health. Understanding the causes and effects of sleep changes with aging is essential for promoting healthy sleep habits in older adults.
