Strategies to Treat Sleep Disorders Among Older Adults

Article Review on “Mindfulness Meditation and Improvement in Sleep Quality and Daytime Impairment Among Older Adults with Sleep Disturbances”
Introduction
The article by Black et al. (2015) evaluating sleep patterns, assesses these issues and explores treatment techniques for the three prevalent sleep disorders among the elderly. It also discusses the consequences of geriatric HCPs in clinical practice who are caretakers of the older population living within communities. The authors argue that treating sleep problems remains essential in alleviating chronic health complications, lowering health costs, and increasing health and wellness of individuals, particularly, the elderly. The following study explores the presented argument by considering the evidence and interprets the findings from the authors. Moreover, it points out the application of the results in resolving issues. Sleep-related disorders emerging from psychological and health problems may be addressed adequately through preventive and curative measures translating to positive outcomes for patients and the society.
Authors’ Argument and Presented Evidence
The authors’ highlight the significance of addressing sleep problems, a critical step in reducing chronic health complications that also extends to cutting down health costs and improving the well-being of individuals. They do so by exploring sleep disorders among the elderly and providing available solutions to these issues. The article identifies that a majority of people sleep 7 to 8 hours a day over a one period (Black et al. 2015). In this case, the body’s circadian rhythm psychologically controls sleep although reduced sleep duration and depth may occur among the elderly. Moreover, sleep complications could be linked to comorbid illnesses including diabetes mellitus, depression, arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease among others. Furthermore, problems with falling or remaining asleep could arise from nocturia or illnesses that cause pain (Black et al. 2015). Medications that treat comorbid complications could cause daytime drowsiness or sleeping problems during the night. Black et al. (2015) identified traditional sleep disorders among the elderly that include insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome. Therefore, addressing these challenges remains essential in attaining positive results on social and economic segments.
While dealing with insomnia, a condition that describes problems in falling or remaining asleep over an extended period, the authors present prescriptive and nonprescriptive techniques. Among pharmacological approaches, they mention nonprescription medications that can be obtained over the counter (OTC) and include antihistamines and herbs. They also suggest popular OTC in the U.S. that includes Dromias and Ambiatol. In contrast, prescription medicine includes benzodiazepines and melatonin agonists. Furthermore, the authors introduce obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which stems from breathing anomalies and obesity among other causative factors. Medical treatments for OSA include surgery, which could counter this condition among young people, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy (Black et al. 2015). Furthermore, the article introduces restless legs syndrome, which stems from iron metabolism and dopamine dysfunction. The problem could result in an increased urge to move legs when one is at rest or during the night. Consequently, it results in excessive daytime sleepiness and anxiety among other issues. Medical treatments for this condition are limited to pharmacologic therapies that include dopamine and opioid medications. As a result, there exist approaches to deal with these circumstances thereby improving the quality of life among individuals.
Arguably, a thorough physical assessment of sleep disorders is critical in pointing out these complaints and consequently solving them. In this case, it becomes essential to identify factors such as sleep habits, sleep environment, and sleep hygiene. A collection of such information is critical in the development of strategies for countering these problems. Furthermore, the authors introduce a sleep diary that puts factors affecting sleep into perspective. According to them, an examination of these aspects remains critical in evaluating the consequences of sleep disorders among the elderly. In this case, HCPs engage tools such as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) in diagnosing these issues (Black et al. 2015). Besides, the authors argue that using the polysomnography (PSG) would be a critical objective sleep measure for variables that include muscle activity and respiration. Thus, there exist mechanisms to measure sleep-related factors effectively thereby aiding the alleviation of these problems in the best ways possible.
Black et al. (2015) emphasized the significance of nonmedical treatment approaches to counter sleep disorders. They stress on sleep hygiene that incorporates behaviors intended to improve a person’s quality of sleep. Moreover, the incorporation of exercises and refraining from stimulating foods and drinks before sleep time are encouraged. They point to other nonpharmacological therapies such as cognitive-behavioral and stimulus control therapies that are critical in helping the alleviation of sleep disorders. Thus, the significance of implementing these strategies reduces chronic health conditions and improves the wellness of people.
Furthermore, it is essential that adults undergoing treatment for sleep disorders must see physicians for reevaluation and follow-up activities. These steps are critical in identifying the effectiveness of the measures put in place. Besides, HCPs should monitor causative factors among patients for better health management. Consequently, they would effectively address sleep disorders.
Other Ways to Interpret What the Authors Found
The findings by Black et al. (2015) can also be interpreted that maintaining good health through recommended health practices could alleviate an emergence of sleep disorders. It also applies to the elderly population, which is a vulnerable population to these problems. In this case, keeping fit, maintaining a proper diet, and frequent checkups would be critical in ascertaining better sleep for older adults. In most cases, psychological and health conditions explain the causes of sleep disorders. As a result, the authors’ argument could be interpreted as a reiteration of maintaining recommended health practices for individuals across all ages to avoid an emergence of these problems. Consequently, an observance of healthy practices contributes towards cutting down health costs and improving the wellness of society.
Application of the Findings To Practice Problems
The article explores practice problems, particularly, the causative factors that lead to sleep disorders. Therefore, an application of these results extends to preventive measures of countering these problems. Specifically, maintaining sleep hygiene remains a significant step in dealing with a majority of these issues that are psychological. In this case, scheduling a regular time to going to bed on a daily basis, refraining from stimulating foods and drinks before sleep, and using the bedroom for sleep and sexual activity purposes only among others remain essential. Furthermore, HCPs are also advised to pay keen attention to issues raised by elderly patients regarding sleep problems. In this case, ensuring that they maintain a regular update of the sleep diary would be critical in helping decipher the issues they face. Therefore, these findings are essential in dealing with sleep disorders among the elderly and other age groups.
Conclusion
Black et al. (2015) persuasively argue their case concerning how treating sleep disorders would be beneficial in reducing the burden of health costs, contributing to health and wellness, and reducing chronic health issues. In this case, they bring forth evidence stemming from studies and practices in the medical field. The strategies brought forth allude to the possibility of dealing with these issues when they arise. Furthermore, they offer preventive measure strategies that the elderly and other age groups could employ to avoid an emergence of these problems. Thus, putting into practice the highlighted recommendations remains beneficial to patients and the entire society.

References
Black, DS, O'Reilly, GA, Olmstead R, Breen, EC, & Irwin, MR. (2015). Mindfulness meditation and improvement in sleep quality and daytime impairment among older adults with sleep disturbances: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Internal Medicine, 175 (4), 494-501.