I read this from http://www.healthinaging.org/aging-and-health-a-to-z/topic:sleep-problems/info:causes-and-symptoms/
“Sleep Problems
Causes & Symptoms
Sleep disturbances can be caused by many things:
Psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, or stress
Lifestyle habits: such assmoking, caffeine intake, napping and irregular sleeping patterns, or alcohol (although alcohol may cause initial drowsiness, it can interfere with sleep later in the night and can actually worsen insomnia)
Medical conditions such as congestive heart failure or prostate enlargement
Painful conditions, such as arthritis, chronic low back pain, or neuropathy
Sleep-wake cycle disorders
Medication side effects
Chronic use of sedatives, which can cause light, broken sleep patterns
Sleep problems such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder
Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease , dementia , delirium, Parkinson’s disease
Environment problems such as night-time noise and lights
Night-time trips to the bathroom
Risk Factors
There are some specific risk factors common to older adults that can contribute to sleep problems.
Insomnia:
Older age
Female gender
Having certain medical or psychological conditions or diseases
Recent bereavement
Social isolation
Certain medications
Shortness of breath (from heart or lung problems)
Reflux disease and heartburn
Chronic pain
Having to go to the bathroom repeatedly during the night
Use of alcohol or nicotine
Having poor sleep habits
Sleep apnea:
Obesity
Have a family history of sleep apnea
Have a wide neck (large circumference)
Male gender
Tending to snore loudly
Having enlarged tonsils or other structural problems in your upper airways
Having high blood pressure, heart failure, heart rhythm problems such as atrial fibrillation, or if you have had a stroke
Use alcohol or sedatives (or both) to put yourself to sleep
Restless leg syndrome:
Low iron levels
Injury or diseases of the spinal cord nerves or nerves in the legs
Diabetes
Parkinson’s disease
Certain drugs (SSRI or tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, caffeine)
Retention of blood in your legs (venous insufficiency)
Insomnia in long-term care residents: Older adults in long-term care facilities tend to have conditions or diseases that may be uncomfortable or painful. They often take a variety of medications which may have side effects that disrupt sleep. Depression may also be an issue.
The environment of a residence typically makes the problem worse. Environmental factors that interfere with sleep include:
Inadequate daytime light and exercise
Long periods in bed
Noise in hallways and rooms at night
Disruption of sleep to complete nursing care
Hallway lights that are always turned on
Symptoms and Warning Signs
You may have insomnia or another sleep problem that needs attention from a healthcare provider if you have noticed the following warning signs:
Sleepiness during the day
Trouble falling asleep at night
Waking up too early in the morning
Waking up often at night
Trouble going back to sleep
Not feeling rested and refreshed in the morning
Trouble differentiating between night and day
Having a hard time concentrating
Sleep Apnea
Particular signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
Loud snoring, often with choking or pauses in breathing
Very sleepy during the day
High blood pressure
Morning headache
Personality changes such as increased irritability, confusion, memory problems
Urinary incontinence
Restless Legs Syndrome
The following are often signs of restless legs syndrome:
An urgent feeling that you must move your legs
Signs of physical restlessness, such as pacing, rubbing your legs, tossing and turning in bed
Vague discomfort, usually in both calves
Symptoms get worse at night when you lie down to sleep
Discomfort is relieved by walking, stretching, shaking your legs
Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome
In this syndrome, your leg makes regular movements in which muscles contract tightly causing your big toe to extend, and ankles and knees to bend. Sometimes your hip may also move. These repetitive slow motion spasms occur over and over and last for between 10 to 30 seconds. You may partially wake up, but will probably not be aware of the movements, although your legs may be tired in the morning. Sometimes another body part can move in addition or instead of the legs.”
I also read this. https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-stop-waking-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night
and this. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/improving-sleep-quality-what-interrupted-sleep
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