Why are many of the elderly people not able to sleep well?
Sleep is vital to our health and well-being, but overwork, deadlines, family problems,
finances, and just about anything that causes stress can cause insomnia (sleeplessness).
Some people are not able to sleep because of too much stimulation or inability to unwind
after a long day.
The elderly also sometimes think they may pass away in their sleep.The advice for them is
to be cheerful, adopt a positive attitude, interact with friends and family, and not be
anxious. For this they need the support of all the members in the family. |
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What can one do to combat insomnia?
Chronic insomnia, caused by depression and anxiety is best treated by specialists. But
persistant insomnia, which one experiences about twice a week or a few times in a month,
could be resolved by following these guidelines.
- Try going to bed at the same time every night.
- Take a warm bath or drink a glass of milk a little while before you go to bed.
- Try some simple stretching exercises or yoga at the end of the day.
- Listen to some soft music.
- Sit quietly for sometime and do a few slow and deliberate breathing exercises.
- Avoid caffeine and nicotine several hours before going to sleep.
Do not eat late, as this may leave you feeling heavy.
If all these fail then medicines could be taken with the advice of the
physician to induce sleep, because lack of sleep can cause a host of problems like
tiredness, lack of attention or concentration, restlessness and tension.
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What is Sleep apnoea?
The muscles of the tongue and soft palate hold the airway open during sleep. In some
people the muscles relax and narrow to an extent that the airways become blocked.
The person who is sleeping has to struggle for breath until the tongue and throat
muscles become active again. |
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How often does sleep apnoea occur during the night?
There can be between 60-100 apnoea episodes a night, but people don't wake up during the
episodes and are unaware of it. This can ruin the quality of life, because the person
remains tired. This needs the attention of a Specialist. |
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