As people age, the sleep patterns of the elderly often change, they may sleep less than when they were younger, which is due to various physiological and psychological reasons. The Huangdi Neijing has long described that as elderly individuals experience a decline in qi and blood, gradual muscle atrophy, and a decrease in bodily functions, they have difficulty falling asleep at night and feel lethargic during the day. Specifically, the following points may be key factors contributing to this phenomenon:
1. Decreased cerebral blood flow: With age, the hardening of cerebral arteries leads to reduced blood flow to the brain, affecting its normal metabolism and causing insomnia. 2. Psychological factors: Retirement can make some elderly individuals feel that life has lost its purpose and fulfillment, leading to emotional fluctuations that affect sleep. 3. Frequent nighttime awakenings: Weakened kidney function and reduced bladder capacity often require elderly individuals to wake up during the night to use the restroom, disrupting the sleep cycle. 4. Changes in circadian rhythm: The biological clock of elderly individuals often advances, leading them to go to bed early and wake up early in the morning, appearing to have shorter sleep time, but it is actually a result of adjusting their sleep cycle.
To help improve the sleep of the elderly, the following measures can be tried:
– Moderate daytime exercise: Encourage elderly individuals to engage in gentle outdoor activities such as walking, which helps expend energy during the day and aids in falling asleep at night. – Optimize the sleep environment: Choose suitable mattresses and pillows, use blackout curtains to create a quiet and comfortable sleep space. – Adjust indoor atmosphere: Maintain suitable temperature and humidity in the bedroom, avoid strong light stimulation before sleep, and create an environment conducive to sleeping. – Monitor health conditions: If sleep issues are related to health problems, seek timely medical attention and treat specific illnesses.
Understanding and caring for these changes in the elderly is crucial for family members. Through proper adjustments and adequate care, elderly individuals can enjoy better quality sleep.
