
These include two stages of “light” non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, one stage of “heavy” or “slow-wave” NREM sleep, and a final stage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep before the cycle begins again. A normal sleep cycle is divided into four stages. Our sleep architecture also changes as we age. The body cannot process circadian signals as efficiently, which in turn may cause older people to go to bed and wake up at earlier times. These decreases in sleep quality and duration are tied to the body’s internal timekeeping systems. Some studies suggest that, beginning in middle age, the average person loses 27 minutes of sleep per night for each subsequent decade. Sleep latency – the time it takes to fall asleep – may also increase. People tend to sleep less and are prone to more waking episodes after initially falling asleep. The quality of our sleep often deteriorates as we age. Additionally, certain medications used to alleviate symptoms of geriatric medical conditions can cause sleep disturbances. Our internal circadian clocks and sleep-wake cycles can also change as we age, and these changes affect how long – and how well – we sleep. Seniors are at higher risk of medical and psychiatric conditions that can lead to insomnia symptoms, as well as other sleep disorders such as sleep-disordered breathing or restless legs syndrome. People aged 60 and older are more susceptible to insomnia, and this can be attributed to a few different factors. Some people with insomnia experience sleep onset and sleep maintenance issues.Īccording to current estimates, 10-30% of adults live with insomnia. People may have sleep-onset insomnia, which causes difficulty falling asleep, or sleep maintenance insomnia, which causes difficulty staying asleep. People with insomnia also experience excessive daytime sleepiness and other cognitive impairments while they are awake that directly stem from sleep loss. Find a behavioral sleep medicine provider who can offer CBT-I.Insomnia is a common sleep disorder characterized by a persistent difficulty to fall or remain asleep despite the opportunity to do so. Treatment may include methods such as stress reduction, relaxation and sleep schedule management.Ĭontact an accredited sleep center to get help for insomnia or another sleep problem. CBT-I helps you learn new strategies to sleep better. Always follow these Ten Safety Tips for Taking Sleeping Pills for Insomnia.Īnother effective treatment option is c ognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Talk to your doctor to determine if a sleeping pill is right for you.

Read this Consumer Update from the FDA to learn about these safety risks. WARNING: Complex sleep behaviors such as sleepwalking or sleep driving can occur when you take a sleeping pill. You should take it when you have at least four hours of bedtime left. There is one sleeping pill that is FDA approved for sleep maintenance insomnia. Intermezzo can be taken in the middle of the night. This is called “sleep maintenance insomnia.” Many people with insomnia wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to go back to sleep. This may lead to problems such as “sleep driving.” It also raises the risk that you will get out of bed without being fully awake. Taking a sleeping pill in the middle of the night greatly increases the risk of daytime drowsiness. Some of them even reported taking a sleeping pill twice in the same night. Results show that 20 percent of respondents reported using a sleep medication in the middle of the night. The researchers surveyed nearly 2,000 people who have a prescription for sleeping pills. This means that you should take the medication at least seven to eight hours before you need to wake up.īut a new study shows that many people are taking sleeping pills in the middle of the night.
#Insomnia hours full
You should only take these sleeping pills when you are able to get a full night of sleep. Most sleeping pills – such as Ambien or Lunesta – should be taken right before you get in bed. One way to minimize the risk of daytime drowsiness is to take a sleeping pill at the right time of night. But you don’t want this sleepiness to persist after you wake up.

They can be helpful because they cause a strong urge to sleep. Sleep medications are powerful hypnotics. One potential side effect of sleeping pills is daytime drowsiness.

But like any other drug, sleep medications can have side effects. Sleeping pills can be an effective treatment for chronic insomnia. Resources for Health Care Professionals.
