Sleep problems with Alzheimer's: Let's talk about this

If you have a family member, perhaps your mother, father, or loved one, who has Alzheimer's disease, you know how challenging it can be to care for them. Among the many changes that come with this disease, sleep problems are one of the most common ones that affect many people, both mentally and physically. In fact, many people's sleep patterns change as they age. But for someone with Alzheimer's disease, these problems can be even more severe and frequent. So let's talk about this today.

What are the sleep problems that come with Alzheimer's?

Take a look to see if your loved one has any of these characteristics. Identifying these will go a long way in helping you find solutions to the problem.

Why is this happening?

Scientists are still not sure why Alzheimer's patients experience such sleep disruptions, but the main cause is thought to be the damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease.

Simply put, our brain has a natural 'body clock' (internal clock) that controls our sleep and wakefulness. This clock is what makes us sleepy at night and wakes us up in the morning. When Alzheimer's disease damages this control center in the brain, the signals about when to sleep and when to stay awake become confused. That's what causes all these problems.

What do we do about this situation? (Treatment and Management)

The best thing is, even though these sleep patterns are different, there are ways to help your loved one rest well and get some rest for yourself in the meantime.

Doctors often try to control the problem by making lifestyle and behavioral changes rather than prescribing medication. This is because some sleep medications can be harmful to Alzheimer's patients. They can increase confusion and make them more likely to fall .

Here are some simple things you can try:

• Create a specific routine: Wake up, feed, and put your baby to bed at the same time every day. This way, you can maintain a consistent schedule 24 hours a day.
• Limit daytime naps: Minimize daytime naps. If you do nap, don't nap for more than 30 minutes.
• Sunlight and light: Take them to a place with plenty of sunlight when they wake up in the morning. Also, at night, when it's time for bed, dim the lights in the house. This will help reset their body clock.
• Exercise: Make it a habit to exercise every day. However, avoid exercising within 4 hours of going to bed. Even a simple walk will do.
• Avoid these things at night: Avoid smoking, alcohol, caffeinated tea, coffee, and heavy meals at night.
• A comfortable room: Make your bedroom a comfortable place to sleep. Keep the temperature at a level that is neither too hot nor too cold.
• Be aware of other medical conditions: This is very important. Sometimes sleep problems can be caused by other medical conditions. For example, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, or urinary tract infections. It is very important to talk to your doctor about this and get checked for any such conditions.
• Consider medication: Some medications used to treat Alzheimer's disease, such as donepezil (Aricept), can also interfere with sleep. If your loved one is taking this medication, avoid giving it at night. However, be sure to talk to your doctor before changing the time of day for the medication.

Let's learn about sleeping pills.

If lifestyle changes don't work, your doctor may prescribe a sleeping pill. If so, they'll start with the lowest possible dose and taper off the medication once your sleep pattern returns to normal.

Commonly prescribed medications include:

• Sedative-hypnotics, such as Suvorexant (Belsomra) and zolpidem (Ambien).
• Tricyclic antidepressants, such as nortriptyline (Pamelor).

You also need a good night's sleep to take care of the patient!

As a caregiver, it's important to take care of yourself as well as your loved one. To have good energy, you need to get good sleep.

Many of the things said to Alzheimer's patients apply to you too:

• You too should maintain a specific daily routine.
• Exercise.
• Avoid smoking, reduce caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals at night.
• Use your bedroom only for sleeping.
• When your patient takes a nap during the day, if you can, take advantage of that time to rest a bit.
• Talk to other people who are caring for you and get support from them. Talking to someone else about your problems can be a great relief.
• Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep at night.
• Relax before going to bed. Reading a book, journaling, or listening to soothing music can help.

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