Why older people sleep less?
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To the characteristics of sleep in older age need to be treated attentively.
Have You ever noticed that older people sleep less than young? In fact, it is a known fact, however, the causes of this phenomenon remain insufficiently understood. A group of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, wondered — do people older than 65 years are less because they need less sleep, or it is due to the fact that they ? The study is published in the . Scientists claim that the reason lies in the work of certain mechanisms of the brain that change with age.
Why do people sleep?
Every living thing on our planet needs to sleep. According to lead author of the study Matthew Walker, this means that sleep evolved along with life accompanying all the stages of evolution. When we sleep, we become useless: not looking for food, you are not communicating. From this point of view, the dream may seem dead-end branch of evolution, as the sleeping man — a godsend for the predator. However, the reason why we sleep is that sleep is important for life itself. The human body is designed in such a way that each major organ of the body needs to sleep to .
It's No secret that in recent years, scientists paid special attention to the study of sleep. So, our regular readers know and need to sleep every day. Neglecting sleep, you are putting yourself at risk of developing many diseases, including depressive disorders, cardiovascular disease, obesity and type II diabetes.
At the same time, the researchers found that with age, a person's ability to sleep is reduced. Thus, to obtain the necessary amount of sleep becomes more difficult with each passing year. To understand for what reason it occurs and whether it is possible to fight this, the scientists looked at the brain.
it Turns out that older people are simply harder to sleep
How does the brain age?
In the study, researchers conducted a series of experiments on lab rats. Experts compared the number and type of chemical signals in young and older individuals and found that the chemical characteristics are the same regardless of the age of the rodents. However, according to the authors, the problem lies in the fact that the receptors in the brain that receive the signal weaken with age. This means that in an aging brain is still working, however, to pick up the signals he is not capable. Just like the antenna that can't pick up the incoming signal. Experts do not exclude that the sleep deprivation of the body. Walker hopes that the results of the study will help to better understand the causes of aging.
This may surprise you, but the number of hours of sleep starts to decrease gradually approximately 20-30 years of age and continues relentlessly over time. In fact, when a person celebrates 50 years, sleep quality deteriorates by about 50% compared to 20-year-old. To 70 years the quality of sleep becomes worse. Instead of having to undergo the proper sleep cycles that provide a good night's sleep, a person wakes up during the night, constantly suppressing deep sleep, which is necessary for proper brain function. According to the researchers, it is one of the most dramatic physiological changes .
With age, sleep quality deteriorates significantly.
Can I sleep longer?
Unfortunately, a quick solution to this problem to date, no. Was conducted too little research on this issue. Moreover, sleeping pills are often prescribed to elderly people, mainly has a calming effect, does not guarantee the obtaining throughout the night. According to experts, can help cognitive-behavioral therapy, which has shown excellent results in the treatment of insomnia. Scientists also advised to avoid caffeine after noon, sleep in a cool room and exercise regularly and do not doubt that diligent researchers work to prevent lack of sleep with age will be crowned with success.
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