Dr. Oz's Advice for Insomnia, Getting Back to Sleep - AARP The Ma...
Get Back to Sleep
Dr Oz' s secrets to catching more zzz' s
Photo by Adam Voorhes Medications and chronic health conditions can interfere with sleep. I seldom give advice that I don't follow myself, but on the matter of sleep, I confess: I could do better. Like most medical residents, I learned to function on . Yet the fact is, most of us need seven or eight hours of sleep a night. Even one sleepless night can reduce attention and memory up to 50 percent, increase insulin resistance (making you more prone to ), and cause moodiness. See also: Nearly half of older adults experience at least a few nights a week. One of three problems is usually to blame: changes in sleep architecture (the unique pattern of brain waves, eye movements, and muscle tension we experience during sleep), increased use of , and higher prevalence of chronic diseases. More From Dr Oz
Dr. Mehmet Oz Let's start with sleep architecture. As we age, our sleep patterns often are disrupted, for reasons not fully understood. We may take longer to fall asleep, or we may wake up more frequently during the night. Some older adults experience advanced-sleep-phase syndrome, during which we become tired earlier in the evening and wake up earlier in the morning, most likely because of changes in our . One remedy: Remove all light in your bedroom. This will prompt the pineal gland — a pea-size gland in the middle of the brain — to produce enough melatonin to help you sleep. Second, certain medications — in particular, antidepressants, heart and blood-pressure drugs, and allergy meds — can interfere with sleep. If you think your drugs could be stealing your sleep, check with your pharmacist or doctor to see if there are alternatives. Finally, chronic health conditions such as , , and have been linked to poor sleep quality. Losing weight and exercising may help. A new study shows older adults can improve by adhering to consistent daily routines — advice I should follow myself. Just let me sleep on it first. "Feel Your Best" by Dr. Mehmet Oz appears in each issue of AARP The Magazine. You may also like: Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
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