What should elderly people do if they can't sleep?

Generally, insomnia in the elderly may be caused by factors such as aging, poor dietary habits, insomnia disorder, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When experiencing the above conditions, it is recommended to seek treatment at a reputable hospital and follow a doctor's guidance regarding general treatments, medications, and other therapeutic approaches. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Aging

With advancing age, melatonin secretion decreases and the body's circadian rhythm regulation weakens, potentially reducing sleep requirements and leading to difficulty sleeping in older adults. It is advisable to moderately supplement melatonin, adjust daily routines, and maintain daytime physical activity.

2. Poor Dietary Habits

If an elderly person eats too much or overeats during dinner, the gastrointestinal tract requires more time to digest food. During digestion, increased gastrointestinal motility and digestive secretions elevate metabolic activity, placing the body in a relatively excited state that is unfavorable for falling asleep. A balanced diet is essential, with moderate portions at dinner and avoidance of stimulating foods.

3. Insomnia Disorder

Mental stress, medication side effects, and other factors may lead to insomnia disorder, which can disrupt sleep and cause difficulty sleeping in the elderly, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as vivid dreams or early morning awakening. Patients should follow medical advice and use medications such as zolpidem tartrate tablets, agomelatine tablets, or estazolam tablets as prescribed.

4. Asthma

Asthma may result from genetic factors, low immunity, or other causes, potentially triggering nocturnal breathing difficulties and causing the aforementioned symptoms. Common accompanying symptoms include waking up at night due to breathlessness, frequent coughing, and labored breathing. Under medical supervision, patients may use medications such as salbutamol aerosol, sustained-release aminophylline tablets, or montelukast sodium chewable tablets to improve symptoms.

5. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD may be caused by smoking, environmental pollution, infections, and other factors. When lying down at night, the diaphragm moves upward, reducing thoracic cavity volume and further limiting lung ventilation, thereby exacerbating breathing difficulties. Patients may frequently wake up gasping for air and be unable to maintain continuous sleep, leading to insomnia. Additional symptoms often include wheezing and nocturnal awakenings due to breathlessness. Under a doctor’s guidance, medications such as terbutaline sulfate tablets, acetylcysteine granules, or tiotropium bromide powder inhaler may be used to relieve symptoms.

To improve sleep quality, individuals should maintain healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular sleep schedules, moderate exercise, avoiding electronic devices before bedtime, and creating a comfortable sleep environment. Additionally, attention should be paid to emotional well-being, with timely adjustments in mindset to naturally promote healthy sleep.