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Changes in sleep patterns can occur with normal aging. The number of hours of sleep needed remains the same. However, many older individuals experience insomnia, which is the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep for a normal length of time.

What is the information for this topic?

• a decreased amount of "deep" sleep and an increased amount of "light" sleep
• having a harder time falling asleep
• less time spent dreaming
• more frequent napping during the day
• a sense of frustration with sleep pattern changes
• spending more time in bed but possibly sleeping less
• waking up more easily and more often during the night

• changes in the foods eaten and the way they are digested
• decreased ability to regulate body temperature
• decreased exposure to sunlight
• decreased mental stimulation
• a more sedentary lifestyle

• drinking alcohol
• drinking or eating caffeine
• smoking or using nicotine products to quit smoking
• taking certain medicines, including some used for high blood pressure or depression
• traveling, or having jet lag

Other factors can also interfere with sleep but are not considered a part of normal aging. Many older people need to get up and use the bathroom during the night because of medical conditions. Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate, and people with diabetes may need to urinate at night. A variety of chronic diseases and conditions may cause anxiety, pain, or other problems that lead to insomnia.

• avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and illegal drugs
• avoiding daytime naps or taking no more than one nap per day, which should be less than 1 hour long
• being in sunlight for a short period each day
• exercising daily
• not going to bed unless tired
• using the bed only for sleeping and sex
• waking up at a similar time each day

If a person is still having sleep problems after trying these steps, he or she should talk to a healthcare professional. Prescription sleep medicines, such as zolpidem (i.e., Ambien) and zaleplon (i.e., Sonata), may be helpful. These medicines are designed to be used for a very short period of time. If used for more than 1 or 2 weeks, some of these medicines can cause addiction and worsening sleep problems. These medicines may also have dangerous side effects such as confusion, hallucinations, and an increased chance of falls.

Too little sleep can cause confusion, trouble concentrating, decreased energy, and other mental changes. Sleeplessness at night can result in sleepiness during the day, leading to inattention in classes and work, or even falling asleep while driving a car, and causing a crash. Pain associated with illness may appear to be worse when a person is tired. These problems can be treated, and symptoms will often go away when the person gets enough sleep.