There are always a host of myths you hear about various health conditions that most often come across as being true. While there are many myths about health issues related to old age that are not true, there are a host of myths about sleep issues in the elderly that many believe to be true.
Here is a look at the fact and the myth.
1. You Need Less Sleep As You Get Old – Myth
Fact: You need as much sleep when you are old as you needed when you were an adult.
While it is true that babies, toddlers and growing children need the most amount of sleep as compared to grown-ups, it is not true that you need less sleep as you reach the senior years. Once you reach the adult years, your body and overall health system gets used to a certain amount of sleep, and this is what you need even as you reach your elderly years. It does not mean that you need less sleep as you get older, but in fact need the same amount of sleep that you had all through your adult years.
2. You Can Catch Up On Lost Sleep On Other Nights Of The Week – Myth
Fact: It is important to have a consistent sleep routine each night, instead of sleeping less some days and more on others.
Many people feel that as long as their bodies are getting enough sleep through the week, it does not matter if the sleep is less on some days, severely less on others, and then is more than the other days for the rest of the week. You may miss out on sleeping the required hours on a particular night, but it does not mean that you can make up for it by sleeping in on another night. In fact, making this a routine can permanently cause damage to your natural sleep cycle. You may try to lie down earlier, but it can be difficult for your brain to shut off when your body is out of sync with its sleep pattern.
3. Waking Up In The Middle Of The Night Is Unhealthy – Myth
Fact: Waking up in the middle of the night will not disrupt your sleep.
In fact, many elderly people, as well as younger ones, often wake up in the middle of the night due to thirst, or to use the toilet. While waking up in the middle of your sleep can make you feel groggy, it will definitely not cause any problems for your sleep or overall health. In fact, many senior citizens regularly wake up in the middle of the night, and fall back asleep after some time to wake up directly in the morning. Unless it happens on a regular basis and you wake up feeling tired, there is nothing to worry.
