Normal and abnormal sleep in the elderly.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews both normal and abnormal sleep in the elderly. Polysomnography (PSG) has provided objective evidence of the changes in sleep architecture that occur with aging. Compared with younger adults, the elderly spend more time in bed but have deterioration in both quality and quantity of sleep. These changes can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), which in turn can lead to intentional and unintentional napping. Objective tests of daytime sleepiness performed in the elderly have shown that they are sleepier than younger adults, suggesting that the elderly are not able to obtain an adequate amount of sleep at night. Research has suggested that the elderly have a decreased ability to sleep thatis often reported as insomnia. There are three primary sleep disorders that are commonly found in the elderly: sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), restless-legs syndrome (RLS)/periodic limb movements in sleep (RLS/PLMS), and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). The diagnosis requires a good sleep history and at times a sleep study. Treatment should address the primary problem rather than the complaint and may result in significant improvement in the quality of life and daytime functioning in the elderly.

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