Sudden Excessive Sleepiness In Seniors – Causes & Treatment

Excessive Sleepiness In Seniors

There are many reasons why older people often sleep too much. Various treatments are available to treat too much sleepiness, including medications and good sleep habits. This article will tell you what you need to know about older people who get very sleepy all of a sudden.

Causes And Effects Of Older People Sleeping Too Much

Why do old people always feel sleepy? Excessive sleepiness could be caused by a number of things, like diseases or medical procedures. Some of the following things may cause older people to sleep more than usual:

• Depression Or Worry Or Fear: When emotions get the best of an older person, they may feel tired all the time or show other physical symptoms.
• Dementia: People with dementia often feel tired all the time and don’t get enough sleep. When someone is very tired or can’t sleep, they should go to therapy right away because fatigue can make dementia symptoms worse.
• Sleep Problems: Narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome can all affect your general health and quality of life.
• New Drug Treatments: Fatigue is a common side effect of many over-the-counter and prescription drugs, such as antihistamines, sleep aids, medications for nausea, opioids, and antidepressants, and it gets worse as you get older.
• Medical Procedures: After medical procedures like surgery, chemotherapy, and other therapies, older people often feel very tired.
• Infections: Lethargy can be caused by illnesses like pneumonia, the flu, or urinary tract infections, which often go untreated in older people.
• Nutrient Shortages: Low levels of minerals like iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D in the bodies of older people can often make them feel tired and weak.
• Constant Health Problems: Adults who have autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances, heart problems, lung problems, or cancer may feel tired.

Treatment For Sudden Sleepiness In Seniors

When an older person is very sleepy, medication is often suggested by healthcare providers along with different kinds of therapies, treatments, and changes in behavior. Here are a few ways that older people who sleep too much could be helped with medication:

• Armodafinil, a drug that helps people stay awake, can be used to treat both sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
• Benzodiazepine receptor agonists are drugs that make you sleepy and help you fall asleep at night.
• Melatonin is a substance you can buy over the counter that helps you sleep well and wake up quickly.
• Methylphenidate is a drug that helps people pay attention.
• Narcolepsy and feeling tired all the time can both be helped with modafinil.

If an older person is facing excessive sleepiness, consult a healthcare provider as soon as possible.