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Patterns of Sleep Disorders and Sedative Hypnotic Use in Seniors

Drugs & Aging volume 5, pages 49–58 (1994)Cite this article

Summary

Adequate sleep is required for good physical and psychological health. Sleep disturbance is common and its prevalence increases with advancing age. Physiologically, sleep in elderly adults differs from that in younger adults, both in terms of quantity and quality. Sleep disturbance in old age may be associated with many physical and psychological conditions, and less commonly can occur as a primary disturbance. It must be distinguished from the understandable but unrealistic expectations of many elderly people that they will sleep for as long and as soundly as when they were younger.

The evaluation of a patient with a sleep disorder requires full medical psychiatric and social histories, mental state and physical examinations and appropriate investigations. If present, an underlying condition should be treated. Management strategies for sleep disorders include attention to sleep hygiene, behavioural treatment and hypnotics. Ideally, a hypnotic should be prescribed for a limited period and then in the smallest effective dose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University College, London Medical School, Wolfson Building, Middlesex Hospital, London, England

    Eleanor Mullan &  Cornelius Katona

  2. Department of Psychiatry of the Elderly, Claybury Hospital, Woodford Bridge, Woodford Green, Essex, England

    Eleanor Mullan

  3. Department of Psychiatry of the Elderly, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Essex, England

    Cornelius Katona

  4. Napsbury Hospital, London Colney, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England

    Michael Bellew

Authors
  1. Eleanor Mullan
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  2. Cornelius Katona
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  3. Michael Bellew
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Mullan, E., Katona, C. & Bellew, M. Patterns of Sleep Disorders and Sedative Hypnotic Use in Seniors. Drugs & Aging 5, 49–58 (1994). https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-199405010-00005

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-199405010-00005

Keywords

  • Sleep Disturbance
  • Sleep Disorder
  • Narcolepsy
  • Slow Wave Sleep
  • Zopiclone