How to treat insomnia in the elderly
Disease description:
My grandfather has been unable to sleep well these past couple of days. How is insomnia treated in the elderly?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Treatment Recommendations for Insomnia in the Elderly:
1. General Treatment: Improve the sleep environment by reducing noise and light interference, creating a quiet and comfortable sleeping atmosphere. At the same time, maintain a regular sleep schedule and avoid excessive daytime napping to prevent disruption of nighttime sleep.
2. Psychological Therapy: Elderly individuals often experience anxiety due to concerns about their health or lifestyle changes, which can lead to insomnia. Providing psychological counseling to help them adjust their mindset and alleviate anxiety can improve sleep quality.
3. Dietary Therapy: Consume more foods that promote sleep, such as longan, lotus seeds, and sour jujube seeds, which have calming and sleep-inducing effects. Additionally, avoid overeating or going to bed hungry in the evening, as both can disrupt sleep.
4. Pharmacological Treatment: Elderly individuals with severe insomnia may take appropriate sedative and hypnotic medications, such as estazolam tablets or diazepam tablets, under a doctor's guidance. Medication should be used cautiously to avoid long-term dependency.
5. Non-Pharmacological Treatment: Traditional Chinese medicine approaches such as acupuncture and massage, as well as relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga, can also serve as adjunct therapies to help alleviate insomnia in the elderly.
