Sleep hours decrease as a person gets older, with sleep becoming less deep than it used to be. Their sleep periods also include more dreams than younger people. In fact, most older people sleep for fewer hours at night, leading many of them to need extra naps during the day. You can learn more about the reasons why older people sleep frequently through the Dalili Medical website.

**How ​​long do older people sleep?**

 

Older people need the same amount of sleep as adults, which is about 7 to 8 hours a day.

**Is excessive sleep in older people normal?**

 

Excessive sleep in older people is not normal and should not be ignored.

**Is there a treatment for reducing sleep?**

 

The best way to treat insomnia is cognitive behavioral therapy, which involves making behavioral changes to improve sleep quality.

**What are the ways to treat excessive sleep?**

 

- **Exercise regularly:** Exercise helps improve sleep quality.

- **Avoid caffeine in the evening:** Caffeine can lead to insomnia, so it is best to avoid it after 2 p.m.

- **Maintain a regular sleep schedule:** Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.

**When does excessive sleep become dangerous?**

 

People who sleep more than 9 hours a night regularly have a greater risk of death compared to those who sleep 7 to 8 hours. Excessive sleep may also increase the risk of death in people with certain diseases.

**What vitamin deficiency leads to increased sleep?**

 

The relationship between vitamin D deficiency and sleep has been discussed, as a deficiency in this vitamin negatively affects the number of hours of sleep and the quality of sleep. This deficiency can worsen insomnia and reduce the duration of sleep to less than five hours per day.

**What is the normal amount of deep sleep for older adults?**

 

Women in their 70s or older are still able to get enough deep sleep in the third stage, as this stage represents about 15% of the sleep period. While men in the same age group typically get only about 5% of their sleep in deep sleep.

**Is it normal for older adults to sleep longer?**

 

Compared to younger adults, older adults spend more time in bed, but they experience a decline in both the quality and quantity of sleep. These changes can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, which can lead to intentional or unintentional naps.

**Do older adults need more sleep?**

 

People between the ages of 18 and 64 should aim for seven or more hours of sleep each night; older adults need to assess their individual sleep needs.

Why do older adults sleep longer?

 

This is often due to a decline in the quality of their sleep, which leads to increased sleep hours to make up for periods when they were not able to sleep well. In addition, medications taken by people with diabetes and heart disease can cause fatigue and exhaustion as side effects, causing them to sleep more frequently to rest.

Do older adults nap more?

 

Lifestyle changes associated with aging can contribute to changes in sleep patterns and increased daytime napping. After retirement, older adults have more free time, which can lead to changes in their daily routine, including increased frequency of daytime naps.

**Diseases that affect the sleep of older adults**

 

Many older adults suffer from chronic diseases that negatively affect the quality of their sleep. Among these diseases are:

- Joint pain and back pain that worsen at night, leading to frequent awakenings.

- Poorly controlled heart attacks, where the person feels tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing, forcing him to get up and sit down.

- Difficulty controlling urine or stool.

- Shortness of breath due to emphysema.

- Dementia, which leads to cognitive changes that affect sleep.

**Sleep disorders patterns in older adults**

The nature and depth of sleep change with age, leading to the emergence of several disorders as a result of changes occurring in the body. The most prominent sleep disorders in the elderly include the following:

- Decreased total sleep duration.

- Increased time required to fall asleep.

- Frequent awakening during the night.

- Decreased quality and efficiency of sleep.

- Increased duration of naps during the day, which negatively affects sleep at night.

**Damages of excessive sleep**

 

Excessive sleep can increase the risk of a number of complications and health problems, including:

. **Cardiovascular diseases**Excessive sleep may negatively affect the health of the cardiovascular system. Studies have shown that women who sleep 9 to 11 hours a night may be more likely to develop coronary heart disease. Both excessive sleep and lack of sleep may increase the risk of heart attacks, but the relationship between excessive sleep and cardiovascular diseases is still not entirely clear.

. **Various psychological disorders**Among the harms resulting from excessive sleep, it can lead to a range of psychological disorders, the most prominent of which are:

- **Depression**It is important to note that the relationship between depression and excessive sleep is still under discussion. While some experts believe that oversleeping can lead to depression, others believe that depression is what causes a person to sleep for long periods.

**Anxiety**Excessive or insufficient sleep can lead to increased anxiety in some individuals, negatively impacting many aspects of their lives. Studies have shown that chronic insomnia can increase the likelihood of developing anxiety.

**Problems with comprehension and concentration**Excessive sleep can accelerate brain aging and reduce the ability to perform tasks efficiently, even thoseSimple.

**Other psychological disorders** can lead some individuals to engage in unhealthy or even dangerous behaviors, such as suicide attempts, illegal drug use, or taking certain medications.

**Headache and back pain** Excessive sleep can exacerbate the feeling of various body pains or increase the severity of pre-existing pains. For example, excessive sleep can cause:

- **Increased severity of headaches** in people who suffer from headache attacks, as it can lead to an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain.

- Feeling general body pain and increased severity of back pain in people who suffer from back problems.

The harms of excessive sleep are not limited to what was mentioned above, but there are many other harms that are still under research and study, including:

- Obesity: Some studies have shown that sleeping for periods ranging from 9 to 10 hours a day may increase the likelihood of obesity.

- Diabetes: Research indicates that excessive sleep may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

- Death: Studies have shown that people who sleep more than 9 hours a night on a regular basis have a higher risk of death compared to those who get 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Excessive sleep may also increase the risk of death in individuals with certain diseases.

Why do older people sleep frequently?

 

There are several main reasons that may lead to older people sleeping for long periods, the most prominent of which are:

**Sleep deprivation at night** This may be due to their feeling of joint pain, or drinking large amounts of coffee, or their desire to enjoy sitting in a warm room. These factors are common causes of the inability to sleep at night, which causes drowsiness and the desire to sleep during the day.

**Feeling bored and empty** Older people may suffer from some chronic health conditions, in addition to their retirement, which gives them a lot of free time. Therefore, many of them resort to naps and sleep as a way to fill their free time.

**Depression and lack of energy**Depression and lack of energy appear as a result of sleep disorders and fatigue, which prompts individuals to sleep as a way to overcome these feelings. If a family member notices these symptoms, it is advisable to talk to the older person and give him the opportunity to express his feelings. It is also preferable to make an appointment with a specialist doctor to get the necessary help.

**Use of some medications** As you age, a group of health problems may appear that require prescribing medications to control them. Some of these medications may lead to drowsiness and dizziness as side effects, which makes the person sleepy. Among these medications and supplements are:

- Constipation medications.

- Antidepressants.

- Thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

- Hypnotics and sedatives.

- Analgesics and antipyretics, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

- Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements.

- Calcium supplements.

- Some types of diuretics.

- Medications used to treat peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

- Anticoagulants.

- Opioid analgesics.

**Mental and psychological illnesses**

 

Some mental illnesses, such as dementia, can lead to sleep problems, the most prominent of which are:

- Loss of the ability to distinguish between night and day.

- Sleeping during the day while waking up and worrying at night.

- Waking up at night and not being able to return to sleep.

- Confusion when waking up to go to the bathroom at night in the dark.

- Waking up in the early hours of sleep thinking that it is time to go to work, or having difficulty organizing the day's events.

**Restless legs syndrome**: is a disorder characterized by an urgent desire to move the legs, with a feeling of discomfort in them. This syndrome may cause the leg to tremble every 20-30 seconds during the night, and sometimes affects other parts of the body. It is important to note that the symptoms of restless legs syndrome get worse during periods of rest or sleep, preventing the affected person from getting enough sleep and leading to a feeling of drowsiness upon waking up.

**Tips to improve sleep quality in the elderly**

After learning about the causes of excessive sudden sleep in the elderly, here are the most important tips that can help improve sleep quality:

1. **Exercise**: Seniors who exercise regularly show an improvement in sleep speed, sleep duration, and sleep quality. Exercise is one of the best activities that seniors can do to improve their overall health.

2. **Reduce distractions in the bedroom**: Televisions, smartphones, and bright lights can negatively affect sleep. Therefore, it is preferable to keep the TV in another room and avoid sleeping while it is on, in addition to removing electronic devices from the bedroom.

3. **Avoid sleep-inhibiting substances**: Some substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, as well as eating large meals late at night, may hinder sleep. Therefore, it is recommended to quit smoking, reduce caffeine consumption, and eat dinner at least four hours before bedtime.

4. **Maintain a regular sleep schedule**: It is preferable to avoid sudden changes in sleep times, which means going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, and avoiding long naps or naps close to bedtime.

5. **Establish a bedtime routine**: It is preferable to establish a specific bedtime routine that helps you relax and prepare for sleep.