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Joe Girouard Discusses the Main Causes of Sleep Disorders in the Elderly

According to Boston based senior healthcare professional Joe Girouard, sleep problems are fairly common in the elderly. The changing sleep patterns and habits may result them to experience trouble falling asleep, wake up frequently in the night, sleep fewer hours, and have a poor quality sleep; which further leads to health issues, such as increased risk of falls, daytime fatigue, etc. According to Joe Girouard, there are many causes of sleep problems in the elderly. For instance, many seniors are on medications which can disrupt their sleep. Additionally, common substances, like caffeine, alcohol, & smoking also contribute to sleep disorders. In case you are already suffering from conditions, such as depression, anxiety, etc; the chances of developing sleep disorders can be high.

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Joe Girouard Discusses the Main Causes of Sleep Disorders in the Elderly

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  1. Joe Girouard Discusses the Main Causes of Sleep Disorders in the Elderly According to Boston based senior healthcare professional Joe Girouard, sleep problems are fairly common in the elderly. The changing sleep patterns and habits may result them to experience trouble falling asleep, wake up frequently in the night, sleep fewer hours, and have a poor quality sleep; which further leads to health issues, such as increased risk of falls, daytime fatigue, etc. According to Joe Girouard, there are many causes of sleep problems in the elderly. For instance, many seniors are on medications which can disrupt their sleep. Some of the medications that are known for causing sleep problems are: Anti-cholinergics for people suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Antihypertensive drugs to treat high blood pressure Diuretics for high blood pressure or glaucoma Levodopa for Parkinson’s disease Corticosteroids (prednisone) for rheumatoid arthritis

  2. Adrenergic drugs for health conditions, such asthma attacks, cardiac arrest, etc H2 blockers (Zantac, Tagamet) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or peptic ulcers Antidepressants and more Additionally, common substances, like caffeine, alcohol, & smoking also contribute to sleep disorders. In case you are already suffering from conditions, such as depression, anxiety, etc; the chances of developing sleep disorders can be high. Joe Girouard recommends older adults to go for non- pharmaceutical treatments like behavioral therapy first as they are likely to be already taking multiple medications. Therapy is usually six weeks or longer, and includes sleep education, stimulus control, time in bed restrictions, and other factors that help promote sound sleep. Girouard further says that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can largely improve sleep quality of people suffering from insomnia. The reason CBT is more effective in treating people with insomnia is that it helps target the quality of sleep instead of the transition into sleeping.

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