![]() ![]() Sleep apnea, an abnormal breathing pattern in which people briefly stop breathing many times a night, resulting in poor sleep qualityįor sleep changes due primarily to Alzheimer’s disease, there are non-drug and drug approaches to treatment. ![]() Restless legs syndrome, a disorder in which unpleasant “crawling” or “tingling” sensations in the legs cause an overwhelming urge to move them.Examples of conditions that can make sleep problems worse include: Contributing medical factorsĪ person experiencing sleep disturbances should have a thorough medical exam to identify any treatable illnesses that may be contributing to the problem. In extreme cases, people may have a complete reversal of the usual daytime wakefulness-nighttime sleep pattern. They may become restless or agitated in the late afternoon or early evening, an experience often called “sundowning.” Experts estimate that in late stages of Alzheimer’s, individuals spend about 40 percent of their time in bed at night awake and a significant part of their daytime sleeping. Individuals may feel very drowsy during the day and then be unable to sleep at night. Those who cannot sleep may wander, be unable to lie still, or yell or call out, disrupting the sleep of their caregivers.ĭaytime napping and other shifts in the sleep-wake cycle. Brain wave studies show decreases in both dreaming and non-dreaming sleep stages. Many people with Alzheimer’s wake up more often and stay awake longer during the night. Sleep changes in Alzheimer’s may include:ĭifficulty sleeping. There is evidence that sleep changes are more common in later stages of the disease, but some studies have also found them in early stages. Many older adults without dementia also notice changes in their sleep, but these disturbances occur more frequently and tend to be more severe in Alzheimer’s. As with changes in memory and behavior, sleep changes somehow result from the impact of Alzheimer’s on the brain. Scientists do not completely understand why this happens. Many people with Alzheimer’s experience changes in their sleep patterns. ![]()
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