2007-10-16 07:39:37 · 8 answers · asked by You think you know me? 6 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
It's not unusual for insomnia to become more common as we age. There are many reasons, but a big one is the decline in the body's production of the hormone "melatonin." This is a natural hormone that causes the body to relax so that sleep can come on naturally. Typically, melatonin levels start rising about 1/2 hour before bedtime (assuming that bedtime is pretty consistent from one night to another). As we age, levels start to decline.
There is also a school of thought that because we have lights and TV and other stimuli that extend into the night, the natural stimulation of this hormone production (i.e., dark) doesn't occur, and therefore, the body doesn't produce it efficiently.
FYI, there are melatonin supplements that can be bought over-the-counter. They are very inexpensive. IF your sleep problems are a result of low melatonin levels, you will be able to find out before you go through one bottle. If it doesn't help your sleep...It's not the cause of your problem.
2007-10-16 07:51:19 · answer #1 · answered by kathy_is_a_nurse 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, most of us do have sleeping difficulties as we age. Nearly all my friends, whether they be early-to-bed, early-to-rise or late-to-bed, late-to-rise sorts experience occasional or frequent sleeping problems. Sometimes it can be easily explained; aching joints, weak bladder muscles, sleep apnea and a host of relatively minor, but yet disruptive, health disorders. But it seems to be a, as yet unexplained, phenomenon of getting older for most of us. Our body parts and systems are losing track of, or misdirecting, the the well-ordered, well-executed signals that keep routines running smoothly. The most irritating aspect for me is that when I have a short night, then I need a mid-day nap. But when I nap it is not the 15-30 minute power-nap of my younger days, but rather a full-blown 2-3 hour recharge. LOL. But I wouldn't trade all the experiences and their associated memories for good nights of sleep. I just adapt.
2007-10-16 15:08:40 · answer #2 · answered by wry humor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, problems with sleeping often occur more frequently as a person ages.
2007-10-16 14:42:08 · answer #3 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 30 and sometimes I also have trouble sleeping.
2007-10-16 14:44:49 · answer #4 · answered by 1luv 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes my mom is 55 and she really has a hard time i guess its just her aging
2007-10-16 15:01:47 · answer #5 · answered by Delores H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been an insomniac since i was 10. so i cant tell ya
2007-10-16 14:43:47 · answer #6 · answered by croan05 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some do
2007-10-16 14:41:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
idk, im 24
2007-10-16 14:41:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋