MIAMI, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Although sleep patterns change as people age, disturbed sleep and waking up tired every day aren't a part of normal aging, a U.S. expert said.
As people age, sleep is more easily disturbed and underlying health issues such as
arthritis, pain, cardiovascular, neurological, urological and psychological disturbances can play
havoc with sleep, Dr. James P. Krainson, of the South Florida Sleep Diagnostic Center in Miami, said.
"In fact, most all medical problems can disturb our sleep and the older adults’ sleep is most vulnerable," Krainson said in a statement.
Older adults may produce and secrete less melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep as well as being more sensitive to changes in their environment, such as noise, Krainson said.
Those who have trouble sleeping are advised to see a sleep specialist at a facility accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Krainson said.
