Do you find yourself bemoaning the plot holes in a film, only for a loved one to diplomatically explain that you actually fell asleep halfway through the movie?
We’ve all done it. Nevertheless, if it’s happening more frequently, maybe it’s time to take a closer look at the issue. Read on as we explore some of the symptoms and causes of excessive sleepiness in the elderly and some of the practical steps you can take to combat it.
Sleepiness: Common Causes of Daytime Fatigue
Before we explore age and medical-related sleeping causes, let’s look at some of the more typical reasons you may find yourself unusually sleepy. Here are some causes you might want to consider if you have started to feel tired lately:
Exercise and Improving Senior Energy
As we age and joints begin to ache, it’s tempting to reduce our daily physical exercise. But if this goes too far and you lack sufficient activity during the day, it can adversely affect your energy levels.
Physical activity helps us sleep better at night, and if you are sluggish during the day, this could be why you feel drowsy.
A Poor Sleep Routine
Good sleep routines help us achieve a restful and high-quality slumber.
If you have a disruptive sleep pattern, you could end up feeling tired during the day. The most common causes of poor sleep routines are screens before bed, inconsistent bedtime hours, and noisy, uncomfortable sleep environments.
Poor Nutrition
What we eat has an impact on improving senior energy levels and sleep. If you lack essential nutrients and minerals, either through bad food choices or lack of calories, it could leave you with that common afternoon energy dip that some of us experience.
Stress
Emotional factors play a part in our energy levels and sleep quality. Stress, anxiety, and depression can interrupt sleeping patterns, leaving you feeling tired during the day. This may happen even if you have had the standard eight hours of sleep during the night.
Aging and Sleep
Age brings with it some changes to our sleeping habits, and this could be a cause of fatigue. When you get older, your body doesn’t produce as much of the hormone called melatonin.
This is the hormone that helps promote sleep. That can make it harder to fall asleep at night and to stay sleeping for the entire eight hours. If you find you have fragmented sleeping patterns at night, it could be age-related.
Another age-related system is a change in sleeping times, and this happens because our body clock can change as we get older. If you find yourself falling asleep earlier at night and waking up earlier in the morning, that could be why.
The most telltale sign of age-related sleepiness is a gradual rather than sudden change to your sleeping patterns.
Medical Causes for Sleepiness
It’s important to rule out potential medical causes for sleepiness. Always consult with your doctor.
Medication Side Effects
If you are currently taking any medication, read through the labels and leaflets for a list of side effects. Some medicines can make you feel drowsy. Seniors could be particularly sensitive to these side effects.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a medical condition that impacts your nighttime rest. This condition can cause you to have interrupted breathing, and you may wake after eight hours of sleep feeling tired. Consult a doctor if you think this could be a concern.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is where you have an uncontrollable urge to keep moving your legs at night. You may feel an uncomfortable sensation in your legs, too. It can leave you feeling tired and lacking good quality sleep.
Sleep Disorders Like Insomnia
Insomnia is probably the most well-known medical condition that can leave you feeling sleepy during the day. There can be a number of underlying causes, and you should always consult your doctor.
Mental Health Conditions
Conditions like anxiety and depression can impact your sleep. If you have a diagnosed mental health condition and it’s affecting your sleep quality or you are feeling exhausted during the day, it’s essential to consult your doctor.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can leave you feeling uncomfortable and make it harder to get a restful night’s sleep. If you have conditions like back pain, arthritis, or neuropathy and feel it’s interrupting your sleep routine, speak to your doctor.
Cognitive and Neurodegenerative Conditions
Diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinsons may impact your sleep patterns. They could cause disruptive nighttime sleep, or you may feel drowsy during the daytime.
When to Seek Professional Help
It’s always important to seek advice from your healthcare professional with any symptoms. Speak to your doctor if you find you have:
- Continued sleepiness
- Frequent daytime naps
- Difficulty in staying awake
- Feelings of exhaustion
- Unexplained mood changes
- Severe tiredness alongside other physical symptoms
Always err on the side of caution. It’s easy to assume that tiredness is a natural part of aging. But it’s vital to rule out underlying causes as there may be things a healthcare practitioner can offer to help you sleep better.
Senior Sleep Health and Lifestyle Changes
Whatever the source of your sleepiness, there are lifestyle changes that are easy to implement and could help you get a better night’s sleep. Here are some suggestions:
- Adopt healthy eating practices
- Review and improve your sleep schedule
- Improve your sleep environment by adding blackout blinds
- Invest in a better mattress
- Remove screens and other devices from your bedroom
- Add a daily walk to your routine
- Limit caffeine and alcohol
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine
A good sleep routine is crucial for everyone, even if you don’t yet have any fatigue symptoms. It helps you establish good habits that you can rely on in the future if you have a medical or age-related sleep issue.
Excessive Sleepiness in the Elderly: Finding a Solution
Don’t ignore fatigue or assume excessive sleepiness in the elderly is a normal part of getting older. It could signify an underlying cause and it’s important to check it.
Having the perfect sleep environment is crucial, which is why we have designed our beautiful private apartments at Morada Midwest City to be relaxing and welcoming for residents. Contact us to discover more about our senior living options in Midwest City, OK.
