Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Can Sleeplessness In An Elderly Person Be Treated?
Question: i'm 83. am having trouble getting to sleep and waking up. I'm active during the day working around the house and building and sailing model sailboats.
Brief Answer:
It may be physiological in elderly.Better sleep hygiene will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist, here to answer your query.
Although sleep pattern usually changes in elderly and the sleep difficulties like these are common.Better sleep hygiene will however, improve the situation.
Following measures can be taken-
1)Avoid a daytime nap
2)Don't take a hot water bath just before sleep
3)Don't have tea or coffee close to sleeping time
4)Slight jogging in a daily routine is desirable
5)Avoid Watching television close to sleep time.
6)Avoid heavy, fatty, deep fried, spicy foods in dinner.
Hope that helps.If you have further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
It may be physiological in elderly.Better sleep hygiene will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist, here to answer your query.
Although sleep pattern usually changes in elderly and the sleep difficulties like these are common.Better sleep hygiene will however, improve the situation.
Following measures can be taken-
1)Avoid a daytime nap
2)Don't take a hot water bath just before sleep
3)Don't have tea or coffee close to sleeping time
4)Slight jogging in a daily routine is desirable
5)Avoid Watching television close to sleep time.
6)Avoid heavy, fatty, deep fried, spicy foods in dinner.
Hope that helps.If you have further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I'm already doing all those things. Don't always get exercise in because of chronic headache. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Is it 'Chronic tension type headache'?
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being in follow-up.
So, is it your chronic headache problem that interferes with sleep?What is the cause of your headache?Is is Tension type headache? If yes, 'amitriptyline' at bedtime may help to address both the issues-headache prophylaxis and some sleep inducing effect.It will also help to treat some depression, if associated.
If there is no specific cause known, an overnight polysomnographic study by a sleep specialist will help to know the pattern and cause of sleep disturbance.
Hope that helps somewhat.If you have further queries,please be in follow-up.
PLEASE TAKE ANY MEDICINES UNDER A DOCTOR'S GUIDANCE ONLY.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Is it 'Chronic tension type headache'?
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being in follow-up.
So, is it your chronic headache problem that interferes with sleep?What is the cause of your headache?Is is Tension type headache? If yes, 'amitriptyline' at bedtime may help to address both the issues-headache prophylaxis and some sleep inducing effect.It will also help to treat some depression, if associated.
If there is no specific cause known, an overnight polysomnographic study by a sleep specialist will help to know the pattern and cause of sleep disturbance.
Hope that helps somewhat.If you have further queries,please be in follow-up.
PLEASE TAKE ANY MEDICINES UNDER A DOCTOR'S GUIDANCE ONLY.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
