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It’s amazing how a good night’s sleep can refresh the mind, or “relax the little gray cells,” as the famous Agatha Christie detective Hercule Poirot said.
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How To Help Someone With Dementia Sleep
But sound sleep may protect you from Alzheimer’s disease and boost your brain in other ways. A study has begun showing a link between lack of sleep and an increased risk of accumulation of beta-amyloid protein plaques in the brain, which is a symptom of the disease.
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“Observational studies have shown that people over the age of 65 who have amyloid plaques in their brains have decreased slow-wave sleep, which plays an important role in memory function, although these people have not yet shown signs of Alzheimer’s disease, such as Memory loss and cognitive decline, says Dr. Brad Dickerson, a neurologist at Harvard Medical School. “Good sleep can play a role in who develops Alzheimer’s disease,” he said.
Any discussion of Alzheimer’s disease often begins with amyloid protein, which builds up in the brain every day and is a waste of energy used when brain cells communicate.
Your brain secretes a lot of amyloid protein during slow-wave sleep, the deep sleep stage in which your memories are consolidated. Some studies show that during the slow wave phase when your sleep is interrupted, amyloid proteins accumulate and form plaques on brain tissue. Scientists believe that this is the first stage in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, and can occur years before symptoms appear.
The relationship between lack of sleep and amyloid plaques is also a classic chicken-and-egg scenario: Does lack of sleep cause amyloid plaques or does plaque buildup cause lack of sleep?
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The researchers investigated this question using brain imaging of 26 adults, ages 65 to 81, who had not been diagnosed with dementia and reported no sleep problems. First, the group received PET scans to measure amyloid levels in their brains and were then asked to remember 120 pairs of words, and their recall of part of them was tested.
The participants then slept for eight hours, during which their brain waves were measured to detect sleep disturbances, especially during the slow wave phase to see if they woke up. The next morning, their brains were scanned as they tried to remember the most memorable words. After all, people with the highest levels of amyloid in the brain had the worst sleep quality and performed poorly on memory tests, with some forgetting more than half the information.
Does this mean that improving poor sleep or practicing good sleep habits can protect you from Alzheimer’s disease? maybe. According to Dr. Dickerson, it may also mean that good sleep should be part of a multifaceted effort to stop Alzheimer’s disease.
“Other research has found strong evidence that exercise can also help reduce a person’s risk,” he says. “Exercise also helps improve sleep quality, so they may work together. Weight loss is also a factor, as people with “Overweight people have more weight.” Sleep problems.”
Is It Typical For People With Dementia To Sleep A Lot During The Day?
Until more is known, Dr. Dickerson suggests that sleep problems, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or getting up frequently to use the bathroom, are common. “See your doctor for an evaluation,” he says. This can go a long way toward protecting your little gray cells
Matthew Solan is the executive editor of Harvard Men’s Hour. He previously served as executive editor for many years at UCLA and as a medical news contributor at Duke and Weill Cornell Medical College. See full bio
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Get helpful tips and advice on everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best weight loss diet…from exercise to cataract treatment tips. Plus, the latest news on medical advances and discoveries from Harvard Medical School experts. Dementia is a general term for the loss of mental ability due to illness or injury. These may include memory loss, problems with language, problem solving and mood changes. As the disease progresses, people with dementia may also have difficulty sleeping properly. They may sleep during the day and wake up at night, or have difficulty falling or staying asleep. A common question among dementia caregivers is: “Why do people with dementia sleep so much?” This is a valid question and it has some different answers. In this post, we will explore some of the reasons why people with dementia sleep more than usual.
There are several possible explanations for why people with dementia sleep more than usual. One reason may be that dementia can cause fatigue and illness. Changes in the brain make it difficult to stay awake during the day. Dementia makes it difficult for a person to regulate their energy levels, which can lead to Oversleeping
Another possibility is that people with dementia often feel tired because they are unable to exercise enough or because they do not eat a balanced diet.
Certain medications can sometimes cause drowsiness. Many people with dementia are sometimes given certain medications that can cause fatigue, and thus increase drowsiness.
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Sleep patterns often change with age, and this is especially true for people with dementia. Older adults tend to take shorter but more frequent naps, and this may contribute to increased daytime sleepiness
If you are caring for someone with dementia who has difficulty sleeping, there are things you can do to help. First, try to create a quiet, relaxing environment while sleeping by dimming the lights and playing soothing music. It may also be helpful to create a regular bedtime routine that includes activities such as reading or bathing. If your loved one is concerned about the amount of sleep they are getting due to dementia, talk to their doctor. About possible side effects of his medications or whether his sleep patterns may change due to his age or condition. In the meantime, try to create a comfortable environment and make sure they get fluids and eat regularly. With a little TLC, you can help your loved ones get the rest they need. Dementia causes changes in the brain that can negatively impact sleep. A person with dementia tends to wake up frequently, be restless, and wake up at night. To help them (and you) get a good rest during… Night, read on for 5 helpful tricks that will help improve sleep for people with dementia.
A good night’s sleep has many benefits. In addition to slowing cognitive decline, it can also help prevent falls and injuries, improve mood, and help balance the sleep-wake cycle.
However, despite its countless benefits, reports indicate that 7 out of 10 dementia patients suffer from sleep problems. This can lead to a vicious cycle: dementia impairs sleep, and lack of sleep can negatively affect dementia. Fortunately, scientific research has shown many ways to reduce this harmful cycle
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Unless you share a bed with that person or check on them throughout the night, it can be difficult to know if your loved one is having trouble sleeping.
Waking up frequently during the night is an example of poor sleep, while restless sleep may mean waiting more than an hour to fall asleep.
If you are unable to monitor your loved one’s sleep at night, look for symptoms such as agitation, excessive daytime sleepiness, increased confusion, or difficulty finding the right words. If this term sounds familiar, there are ways you can help overcome someone’s sleep patterns
Our brains depend on natural light to maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle. Do what you do
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