Physiological or medical causes
Environmental causes
Other possible causes
problems with sleeping
Problems with sleeping and changes in the sleep-wake cycle are a common occurrence with dementia. Some people sleep during the day and are awake and restless at night. Some are no longer able to distinguish between night and day, while others are simply not as active as they used to be and thus need less sleep. Trying to recognise the cause of the sleeping problems will help you decide how best to deal with them.
Physiological or medical causes
• Brain damage caused by the condition has affected the ‘biological clock’ in the brain which directs our sleep patterns.
• Illness eg angina, congestive heart failure, diabetes, ulcers.
• Pain eg. arthritis.
• Urinary tract infections which cause frequent need to urinate.
• ‘Restless legs’ or leg cramps which can indicate a metabolic problem.
• Depression which can cause early morning wakening and inability to get back to sleep.
• Side effects of medication such as diuretics.
• Sleep apnoea and snoring.
• A need for less sleep as a person gets older.
Environmental causes
• Too hot or too cold.
• Poor lighting with the effect that darkness causes the person to become disorientated.
• Changes in environment such as moving to a new home or having to be hospitalized.
Other possible causes
• Going to bed too early.
• Sleeping too much during the day.
• Over-tiredness.
• Insufficient exercise so that the person does not feel tired.
• Too much caffeine or alcohol.
• Feeling hungry.
• Agitation following an upsetting situation.
• Disturbing dreams.
It is important to encourage the person with dementia to be as active as possible during the day. It really does not matter what the activity entails so long as they do not spend long spells sitting down. Activity provides stimulation for the senses, mobility for the joints, exercise for the lungs and assistance for the circulation of blood through the body.
For more information or support call the Alzheimer National Helpline 1800 341 341
Website: www.alzheimer.ie
Web Credits via username Fox
Environmental causes
Other possible causes
problems with sleeping
Problems with sleeping and changes in the sleep-wake cycle are a common occurrence with dementia. Some people sleep during the day and are awake and restless at night. Some are no longer able to distinguish between night and day, while others are simply not as active as they used to be and thus need less sleep. Trying to recognise the cause of the sleeping problems will help you decide how best to deal with them.
Physiological or medical causes
• Brain damage caused by the condition has affected the ‘biological clock’ in the brain which directs our sleep patterns.
• Illness eg angina, congestive heart failure, diabetes, ulcers.
• Pain eg. arthritis.
• Urinary tract infections which cause frequent need to urinate.
• ‘Restless legs’ or leg cramps which can indicate a metabolic problem.
• Depression which can cause early morning wakening and inability to get back to sleep.
• Side effects of medication such as diuretics.
• Sleep apnoea and snoring.
• A need for less sleep as a person gets older.
Environmental causes
• Too hot or too cold.
• Poor lighting with the effect that darkness causes the person to become disorientated.
• Changes in environment such as moving to a new home or having to be hospitalized.
Other possible causes
• Going to bed too early.
• Sleeping too much during the day.
• Over-tiredness.
• Insufficient exercise so that the person does not feel tired.
• Too much caffeine or alcohol.
• Feeling hungry.
• Agitation following an upsetting situation.
• Disturbing dreams.
It is important to encourage the person with dementia to be as active as possible during the day. It really does not matter what the activity entails so long as they do not spend long spells sitting down. Activity provides stimulation for the senses, mobility for the joints, exercise for the lungs and assistance for the circulation of blood through the body.
For more information or support call the Alzheimer National Helpline 1800 341 341
Website: www.alzheimer.ie
Web Credits via username Fox
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