Newswise — New report by the International Longevity Center-USA and the AARP Foundation tells older Americans how to fight sleeplessness and get a good night's sleep

The sleeplessness affecting about one-third of all older Americans is not a natural part of aging and can lead to serious health disorders, according to "Getting Your ZZZZZZZs: How Sleep Affects Health and Aging," a new publication from the International Longevity Center-USA (ILC-USA) and the AARP Foundation.

The new consumer-oriented publication reviews researchers have discovered about common sleep disorders, their affect on the brain and body and what someone who suffers from these conditions can do to achieve a good night's sleep.

"Not getting the right amount of sleep can become a serious health problem and it is not a natural part of aging," Robert N. Butler, M.D., president and CEO of the ILC-USA, said. "A large number of older people often suffer from this medical condition and go unrecognized or are not treated appropriately."

Sleeplessness and agingSleep problems in old age may be caused by a combination of factors. Physical changes associated with aging can lead to sleep problems as can traumatic life experiences, such as the death of a spouse. Decreased physical activity and limited exposure to sunlight can also affect a person's ability to sleep. Pain and discomfort associated with age related physical conditions also play a role.

"Sleeplessness sets up a vicious cycle. Older people have problems that disturb their sleep, which often affects their other body systems, especially hormone production and metabolism " causing more problems that disturb sleep even more," the report states.

Importance of recognitionThe report points out, "New studies highlight the significant impact of sleep on physical and mental wellbeing, especially for older men and women." Loss of sleep can lead to memory problems, depression and a greater risk of falling. Lack of sleep may also cause changes in the nervous system that affect cardiovascular health.

Individuals who experience a protracted period of disordered sleep should notify their physician. Physicians should take such complaints seriously because the underlying causes of sleeplessness may well be a serious health condition.

Two major sleep disorders Snoring may indicate a serious health problem, the most common of which is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes sleeplessness because the sleeper wakes frequently from a lack of oxygen caused by this disordered breathing. The Nurses Health Study found that snoring was associated with hypertension as well as weight-related health problems. Several studies have shown that people who suffer from sleep apnea have high rates of automobile accidents and are at risk for diabetes.

Insomnia, or inability to fall asleep, is another major sleep disorder that can exist as either a short-term or chronic problem. Proper treatment requires a physician to correctly diagnose the cause. There are several known causes including depression, more common in older people, serious mental or physical illness and lifestyle factors. Obesity, alcohol, smoking, nasal congestion and menopause are all suspected of affecting a person's ability to fall asleep.

What an individual can doRegular exercise and a healthy lifestyle are major factors in helping secure a good night's sleep. Four current studies of the effects of exercise on the quality of sleep of older men and women indicate that regular exercise is likely to have a beneficial effect on quality of sleep. Recent research also indicates that taking short naps during the day of no more than 20 to 30 minutes may actually help a person sleep at night. Medication can be used for short-term problems, but does not seem to solve long term sleep problems. Two new ideas, light therapy and two drugs, melatonin and valarian, are thought by some experts to be effective treatments for some insomnias associated with aging. However, more studies are needed on these alternative treatments to ensure that they are safe and effective, and to determine an accurate dosage. According to Dr. Butler "Our nation's oldest adults need not accept poor sleep as a penalty for being old." "As researchers learn more about how the human body controls sleep, effective treatments for sleep disorders in older, as well as younger people, will become increasingly possible."

Please call 212-606-3383 for copies of "Getting Your ZZZZZZZs: How Sleep Affects Health and Aging" or download the publication from the ILC-USA web site at http://www.ilcusa.org/pub/books.htm. Other AARP-ILC-USA publications include "Is there an anti-aging medicine?" and "Unjust Desserts: the Financial Realities of Older Women." Spanish language versions of all the publications are being made available online.

The report, and the consensus workshop upon which it is based, were made possible through the generous support of Canyon Ranch Health Resort. Generous grants were also provided by MetLife Foundation and the Institute for the Study on Aging. Thanks also to The National Institute on Aging.

The International Longevity Center-USA is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan research, policy and education organization whose mission is to help societies address the issues of population aging and longevity in positive and constructive ways and to highlight older people's productivity and contributions to their families and to society as a whole. The ILC-USA is an independent affiliate of Mount Sinai School of Medicine and is incorporated as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity.

The AARP Foundation, AARP's affiliated charity, administers educational, employment, advocacy and community service programs funded by federal and private sources. It is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people over 50, promoting their independence and dignity, providing leadership on important issues and improving the image of aging. While national in scope, the Foundation provides services through volunteers and staff at the community level and through partnerships with local, state and national groups.

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