Karacan I, Williams R L
Am Fam Physician. 1983 Mar;27(3):143-52.
Sleep disorders are difficult to distinguish from changes in sleep typically occurring after age 60. Sleep laboratory evaluation is needed to differentiate normal sleep alterations from the similar but more severe symptoms of depression or organic brain syndrome, and to detect sleep apnea, the most common sleep disorder found in geriatric patients. This disorder may be fatal, especially if a hypnotic drug is prescribed. Since biologic rhythms are easily disturbed in the elderly, education about sleep habits may be the most helpful therapy.
睡眠障碍很难与60岁以后通常出现的睡眠变化区分开来。需要进行睡眠实验室评估，以区分正常的睡眠改变与抑郁症或器质性脑综合征相似但更严重的症状，并检测睡眠呼吸暂停，这是老年患者中最常见的睡眠障碍。这种疾病可能是致命的，尤其是在开了催眠药的情况下。由于老年人的生物节律很容易受到干扰，关于睡眠习惯的教育可能是最有帮助的治疗方法。
