Sleep and AgingSleep and aging affect each other. Sleep is a very important factor in determining how we feel and function daily. As we age sleep patterns change and sleep is not as deep as when we were younger. But regardless of age, everyone needs to sleep well in order to stay physically and mentally healthy. Sleep deprivation is considered to be one of the major factor of premature aging. Why do we need sleep?
There are many theories about sleep, but scientists have no clear answer as to why we need sleep. It is largely believed that sleep is the time our body heals and restores energy. Scientists also theorize that during sleep the brain organizes information, solves problems and exchanges chemicals.
Lack of sleep can affect our mental judgment and physical performance. Long term sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, weight gain and Alzheimer's. How much sleep do we need?I would love to be able to sleep less. I always feel there just aren't enough hours in the day to get things done. But the fact is the amount of sleep we need does NOT decline with age. Baby boomers need about 7-8 hours of sleep nightly. What happens when we don't get enough sleep?A great way to understand why we need sleep is to observe what happens when we don't get enough sleep:
How does aging affect sleep?During a normal night's sleep, there are 2 kinds of sleep: rapid eye movement (REM) and quiet sleep (non-REM). Dreaming occurs during REM sleep and the deepest sleep is during non-REM sleep. Everyone has about 4-5 rounds a night of these 2 types of sleep. As we age, non-REM sleep decreases, making sleep lighter. Research shows that there is a close relationship between health and sleep among older adults. The healthier the person the more likely they are to sleep well. Troubled sleep may be a sign of other problems: Medications: As we age medications play a larger role in our life. There are medications that have stimulating effects and keep us from falling asleep and others that can cause sleepiness. Medical disorders: Many illnesses and other conditions such as arthritis, heartburn, sinus problems, night sweats, and incontinence, can disrupt asleep and/or cause us to wake up several times a night.
Sleep disorders: Sleep disorders such as insonmnia, sleep apnea( a condition in which breathing stops for more than 10 seconds), and restless leg syndrome(an uncomfortable sensation in the leg making the person want to move it in order get relief).Lifestyle, habits: Exercise, diet, alcohol and smoking have an effect on how we sleep. Taking naps: Napping during the day can disrupt sleep at night. Is too much sleep bad for you?Studies show that people who sleep more than 8 hours or less than 4 have a higher death rate than those that get 6-7 hours of sleep. But researchers don't believe that sleep itself is harmful. Excess sleep is usually a symptom of other problems such as depression, poor diet and lack of exercise. How to improve your sleepAging doesn't have to be the end of a good night's sleep. There are many things you can do to improve the quality of your sleep:
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