What could be causing an elderly person in their 80s to become agitated at night?

Generally, nocturnal agitation in elderly individuals over 80 years old may be caused by disrupted sleep rhythms, decreased environmental adaptability, geriatric anxiety, sleep apnea syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, or other factors. If uncomfortable symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a正规 hospital. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Disrupted Sleep Rhythm: With aging, melatonin secretion decreases in the elderly, leading to shortened sleep cycles, frequent nighttime awakenings, and difficulty falling back asleep, which can trigger irritability and agitated behaviors. Adjust the bedroom environment to maintain soft lighting and comfortable temperature. Avoid strong tea or coffee before bedtime. Melatonin supplements may be taken under a doctor’s guidance to help regulate sleep rhythm.

2. Decreased Environmental Adaptability: Elderly individuals are sensitive to environmental changes, such as nighttime noise or changes in bedding, which may provoke feelings of unease and lead to agitation. Try to maintain a stable living environment for the elderly, minimize external disturbances at night, place familiar items nearby to enhance a sense of security, and use gentle reassurance to help calm their emotions.

3. Geriatric Anxiety: Anxiety in older adults may arise from declining physical function, loneliness, and other factors. Emotional fluctuations are more pronounced at night, manifesting as agitation, restlessness, difficulty falling asleep, and palpitations. Doctors may prescribe medications such as buspirone tablets, tandospirone capsules, or lorazepam tablets, along with psychological counseling, to alleviate anxiety.

4. Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Airway relaxation in the elderly can cause breathing pauses during sleep, leading to hypoxia that stimulates the nervous system, resulting in fragmented sleep and irritability or agitation, often accompanied by snoring and daytime drowsiness. Doctors may recommend using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices. In some cases, medications such as aminophylline tablets, acetazolamide tablets, or protriptyline tablets may be prescribed to improve respiration and reduce the emotional impact of hypoxia.

5. Alzheimer's Disease: Degeneration of brain nerve cells leads to cognitive decline in the elderly. At night, they may experience confusion, disorientation, and subsequently display agitation or aggressive behaviors, along with severe memory loss and inability to perform daily activities independently. Doctors may prescribe medications such as donepezil hydrochloride tablets, rivastigmine tartrate capsules, or memantine hydrochloride tablets. Additionally, enhanced nighttime supervision is essential to prevent accidents when the individual is alone.

In daily life, establish regular routines for the elderly and conduct periodic nighttime checks to monitor their condition. Communicate frequently with them and provide emotional support. If episodes of agitation occur frequently, strictly adhere to prescribed medications and attend regular follow-up appointments to adjust the treatment plan as needed.