Sleep disorders with aging: evaluation and treatment.
Sleep disorders are especially common among elderly patients and may be the result of psychiatric illness, a medical problem, poor sleep habits, or a primary sleep disorder. Because a sleep complaint (especially insomnia) is only a symptom, the physician must undertake a careful evaluation in an attempt to identify a specific treatable cause. Although some patients may require referral to a psychiatrist or sleep disorders clinic, many patients may benefit from behavioral strategies, such as improved sleep hygiene. In general, hypnotics should be prescribed for only a limited period of time and should be combined with other therapeutic approaches in patients with chronic insomnia.
Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
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Bachman
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D006801:Humans; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines