SLEEP DISORDERS AND AGING

The common complaint by older adults of sleep disturbance can arise fr om a multitude of causes. Recent literature suggests three major consi derations regarding sleep disorders and aging: the recognition of the multifactorial nature of sleep disorders in elderly people; the need t o, wherever possible, treat the primary illness rather than the sympto m of sleep disturbance; the importance of taking a conservative approa ch to prescription of hypnotic drugs, Also reviewed is the emerging li terature elucidating the interactions of circadian rhythms with sleep quality and suggesting a number of potentially useful therapies, parti cularly melatonin administration, for treating sleep disturbance based on circadian principles.