Research indicates that irregular sleep can be a risk factor for stroke. According to a study published in the Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics in 2018, “abnormal sleep duration can be a sign of chronic disease, which itself may be linked to stroke,” according to a report published by WTOP News.
40% of the public were negatively affected
According to a scientific review, published in 2021 in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, the Corona pandemic negatively affected the sleep of people of all ages, including the elderly. And the results of the review concluded that “sleep problems are increasingly prevalent during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the percentage of those who were exposed to negative effects about 40% of people from the general public and health care groups,” as it was proven that people with active Covid-19 had higher rates of sleep problems. sleep. Many people – including the elderly who are not infected with COVID-19 – also suffer from poor sleep due to the disruptions in daily life and the anxiety caused by the pandemic.
Altered rhythm and quality of sleep
For her part, said Dr. Marie Horvat, a physician at the Sleep Disorders Center at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, “With the pandemic, we have seen a lot of changes in patients’ usual schedules … Some patients have started taking naps in the afternoon and engaged in less social interaction.” …they are factors that lead to changes in the rhythm and quality of sleep.”
Dr. Lisa Gibbs, chair of geriatrics at UCLA and medical director of the Center for Senior Citizens at UCI Health, also agrees that interruption of many important social activities for older adults is a major factor in widespread sleep disturbance among older adults.
isolation and loneliness
“Lockdowns have isolated the majority of older people, as people who were enjoying social connections in community centers through regular gatherings, group outings, book clubs or other activities, could not have these gatherings,” Gibbs added.
She also added that some elderly people who were staying in their homes with paid nurses or aides and caregivers refused to allow them to enter their homes due to fears of infection with Covid-19, which led to gaps in care and more isolation and loneliness, which in turn led to Cases of anxiety and depression among the elderly.
The lockdown also disrupted many people, including the elderly, from exercising. Research shows that regular exercise is important when it comes to getting good sleep. One of the negative effects of the Corona pandemic on the sleep of many elderly people is disruption to exercise routine.
Depression increased by 150%.
Research published in 2021 in the journal Sensors showed that older adults did significantly less exercise after the pandemic began, which in turn led to a sharp rise in depression. Study results showed that the amount of time spent walking by older adults decreased by 52% and the time spent standing decreased by nearly 33%, which was associated with a 150% increase in depressive symptoms. Their findings suggest that reducing sleep duration also contributed to their depression.
Like an engine oil change
Carlera Weiss, a sleep researcher at the Nursing Research Center at New York State University in Buffalo, says many people who have never had a sleep disorder don’t appreciate the importance of getting good sleep until they lose it.
“Unfortunately, we often learn to function with little or no sleep due to our busy work lives,” she added. But our bodies maintain a degree of sleep deprivation. If you think of constant sleep deprivation as driving a car without changing the oil, sooner or later its engine will break.”
Lack of sleep and health risks
While Dr. Horvat explains that for people aged 60 or over, sleep disorders associated with the Corona pandemic put them at risk of a range of health problems, including the following:
– anxiety.
– depression.
Poor cognitive function, such as problems with focus, concentration and memory.
– exhaustion.
Overweight and obesity.
Sleep apnea, which in turn is associated with:
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
– high blood pressure.
– Apoplexy.
Type 2 diabetes.
To treat sleep apnea, doctors usually prescribe patients a CPAP mask, which is a continuous positive airway pressure mask. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine sends a flow of pressurized air into a person’s mouth and nose while they sleep. This helps keep the airway open to allow for normal breathing.
Strategies for better sleep
Horvat says that while the pandemic has increased the prevalence of poor sleep among older adults, there are effective strategies that older adults can adopt to improve their sleep habits, including maintaining a daily routine and bedroom environment that promotes consistent, good sleep, as follows:
Avoid caffeine and nicotine for four to six hours before going to bed.
Use the bed for sleeping only.
– Choose suitable pillows and mattresses.
Ensure that the bedroom is tightly darkened.
Have a “wind down” period each night before bed.
Try yoga positions to relax the body.
Do breathing exercises.