Sleep Problems and Sleep Disorders

To My Patients,

Sleep is affected by numerous factors including age, lifestyle, behaviors, psychiatric and medical conditions, and stressful life events.  Risk factors for sleep deprivation include work, alcohol and substance abuse, smoking, depression, chronic medical conditions, menopause, and aging.    

          Approximately 40-70% of older adults experience sleep disturbances.  Women consistently report more nighttime sleep problems than men.  This includes sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

          Treatment varies, but includes behavioral changes, lifestyle changes, medications, and breathing devices and/or surgery for sleep apnea.  Behavioral or psychological treatment includes avoidance of naps, regular exercise no sooner than six hours before sleep, maintenance of a regular sleep schedule, avoidance of caffeine or nicotine, limit of alcohol intake, and avoidance of looking at the clock if one wakes up at night.

          Other suggestions include a strict bedtime and rising schedules, going to bed only when intending to fall asleep, leaving the bedroom if unable to fall asleep within 20 minutes, and no reading, watching TV, talking on the telephone, worrying, or planning next day activities in the bedroom.

          Our June E-News will feature Update on Interstitial Cystitis and

Overactive Bladder (OAB).

Randy Birken, MD
www.gynfo.com