Older Seniors Sleep Problems

Discussion in 'Health & Wellness' started by Craig Wilson, Sep 24, 2019.

  1. Babs Hunt

    Babs Hunt Supreme Member
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    I have found that taking one Benedryl caplet right before bedtime helps me sleep more soundly and at least six to eight hours without waking up every few hours. Benedryl makes some people drowsy and for others it makes them hyper. I have allergies and discovered this by accident. When I told my Doctor about the sleep help effects...she said if it works for you then take it!
     
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  2. Teresa Levitt

    Teresa Levitt Veteran Member
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    well....I hate to wake up in the middle of the night. ..that's when the "boogeyman " comes out....anyway. ..I hope you can find something to help
     
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  3. Martin Alonzo

    Martin Alonzo Supreme Member
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    There is a few things related to sleep a deficiency of calcium can prevent a person to fall asleep. Remember your grand mother would give you warm milk before bedtime, maybe the knew something. Also waking up at night can be a low blood sugar problem. And also the getting up to pee especial you men could be a prostate problem there is a few herbs that can help.
     
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  4. Jaspurr Miller

    Jaspurr Miller Well-Known Member
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    As many of us know, insomnia is common as we age. I get it from time to time, usually when I'm fretting or stressed about something and it's difficult to shut off my mind.

    A few years ago, I "invented" a game that I play when I can't sleep and need to divert my thoughts. It works like a charm 90% of the time, I kid you not. I call it the "ABC Game." It works like this: Pick a category and then think of a word for each letter of the alphabet. For instance, animals (e.g. Antelope, Baboon, Cat, Dog, etc.). Usually, when I get to "Z," I'm drowsy and can drift off. Sometimes I don't even make it to the end! If I still can't sleep, I choose another category, like songs or musical groups. And it works almost every time.

    Some of my other favourite categories are: (1) Girls' names...Annie, Barbara, Colleen, etc. (2) Boys' names...Arnold, Benjamin, Colin, etc. (3) Actors and actresses (4) Movies (5) TV shows (6) Sports and games (7) Flowers (8) Birds (9) Dog breeds. (10) Countries (11) Cities You get the picture.

    So, if you suffer from insomnia, I invite you to give the ABC Game a try. If you do, I would love to know if it works for you! Oh...and by the way...good luck thinking of words that begin with X! LOL
     
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    Last edited: Feb 22, 2023
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  5. Joy Martin

    Joy Martin Veteran Member
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    A daily short beer could be a good friend as their HOPS can address SLeep, saddness, and much more....

    Current Research on Hops -- And I'm NOT PUSHING HOPS, just point ing out their benefits..... My dad slept good and his heart was strong until 95...the HOPS?????


    Sleep Disorders
    Various components found in hops are thought to have mild sedative properties that may have applications in medicine.5


    A few small studies have investigated the effects of hops on sleep-wake cycles using nonalcoholic beer.

    One very small study included 17 nurses assigned female at birth. The nurses, who worked rotating or night shifts, were given hop-containing nonalcoholic beer at dinnertime for two weeks. Researchers monitored their sleep patterns with a wristband sleep tracker. The results suggested that the beer not only helped participants fall asleep slightly faster but also reduced anxiety levels.6

    These results are similar to a 2014 study of 30 college students in which questionnaires were used to determine sleep habits. After one week of recording sleep habits, students were asked to drink nonalcoholic beer with their dinner for 14 days. Compared with the first week, the students reported significant improvements in sleep habits, including the time it took to fall asleep after drinking nonalcoholic beer.7

    Hops are sometimes combined with other herbs, like valerian and passionflower, to treat insomnia.

    A 2013 study compared the sleeping pill Ambien (zolpidem) to a combination pill that contained hops, valerian, and passionflower. In the study, both the sleeping pill and the herbal remedy were found to be equally effective.8 However, it's difficult to determine if the hops were more or less effective than the other herbs in the study.
    How to Fall Asleep Faster
    Hot Flashes
    The flavonoid 8-prenylnaringenin found in hops is classified as a phytoestrogen—a plant-based compound that mimics the activity of the female hormone estrogen. Some believe that 8-prenylnaringenin can help increase estrogenic activity in the body, overcoming symptoms of estrogen deficiency, especially during menopause.9

    Hot flashes are a common side effect of menopause. Hops may be able to help ease this effect.

    In both animal and human trials, hops supplementation has correlated with improvements in hot flashes. Various studies have found that when compared to a placebo, hops were thought to alleviate hot flashes associated with menopause.9

    However, the researchers noted the potential for adverse effects with long-term supplementation with hops. Additionally, further research is needed to determine an optimal dosing strategy.9

    10 Simple Ways to Curb Hot Flashes
    Cardiovascular Disease
    A flavonoid in hops called xanthohumol is believed to have properties that may help relax blood vessels and improve blood circulation.

    One study performed on rats found that xanthohumol extracted from hops reduced calcification in arteries and veins. Researchers from the study believed these results to mean that xanthohumol may have a potential role in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular (heart) disease.10

    Although these results seem promising, and other lab and animal studies have drawn similar conclusions, the role of hops and xanthohumol has yet to be studied in humans. More research is needed in this area.

    Cancer
    Although hops cannot directly prevent cancer, xanthohumol, and other compounds in hops, may display anticancer effects.

    According to a 2018 review, xanthohumol was found to kill various types of cancer in test tube studies. Xanthohumol was found to be cytotoxic, meaning that it "poisoned" and killed cells, including cancer cells. It was also found to trigger apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death.11

    More research, including human trials, must be conducted to draw conclusions.
     
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  6. Yvonne Smith

    Yvonne Smith Senior Staff
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    Hops are definitely healthy. I do not drink beer, but i did buy some hops and used them to flavor a batch of kombucha, and it turned out really good. Surprisingly. The taste was a little like grapefruit juice, and nothing at all like beer.
     
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  7. Ed Wilson

    Ed Wilson Veteran Member
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    I have been conditioned like a Pavlov dog.

    During my working life I had to get up at a certain time, so I set an alarm clock. If I awoke during the night, I could go back to sleep because I knew the alarm would go off.

    With no job to go to now because of retirement, there’s no need to set an alarm clock, but if I awaken, I’m conditioned to expect one but I know there won’t be one so I can’t go back to sleep as before.

    At least that’s my theory as to why seniors have a tough time sleeping. I set the alarm for the first time last night and after getting up for a pit stop and getting back in the bed, the above came to me. It just felt familiar and right and I went right back to sleep.
     
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