You can use the information from your sleeping journal to create a
nighttime sleep routine.
By creating a sleep journal you will be able to help your doctor identify whether you have insomnia or a related sleep disorder. Your doctor can then work with you to improve your sleep hygiene. Often doctors find that their patients do not have insomnia. Many doctors find that people have poor lifestyle habits that lead to chronic sleep problems as they age. For example, you may find that you stay up too late or fall asleep too early in the evening, which may cause you to get up too early in the morning. This is one reason you should keep a sleeping journal so you can keep track of your sleep habits. Your doctor can also help you identify whether foods you eat may be contributing to sleepless nights. Some foods, like chocolate, may contain hidden caffeine, a substance known to cause insomnia. Many senior citizens and young adults alike are subject to "
caffeine induced insomnia" whether they drink coffee, tea, eat chocolate or consume caffeine in any other form or fashion.
Your healthcare professional will help you find out if you have a physical problem like depression or anxiety that may also contribute to insomnia. There are countless other reasons people have trouble sleeping. So remember, just because you can't sleep, or have trouble staying asleep at night, doesn't mean you have insomnia. If you do however, have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night, make sure you talk with your doctor about your sleeplessness so together you can come up with a sleep "plan of action" that will get you getting back to a good night of sleep in no time at all.
For More Information About Sleep And Insomnia In The Elderly, Visit:
Sources:
Siversten, Borge, Omvik, Siri, Pallessen, Stale, Bjorvatn, Bjorn, Havik, Odd, Kvale, Gerd, Nielsen, Geir Hostmark, Inger Hilde Nordhus. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Zopiclone for Treatment of Chronic Primary Insomnia In Older Adults. JAMA 2006;295:2851
