SLEEP PROBLEMS

Sleep complaints are common in the elderly, and are often related to p hysiological changes with ageing, or secondary to illness and drug the rapy Primary sleep disorders, such as sleep apnoea and movement disord ers, are also common. Management should be specific to the problem. At tention to underlying factors and sleep hygiene, as well as reassuranc e and education about age-related sleep changes, will often be suffici ent. Hypnotics, which usually offer only temporary symptomatic relief, may be counterproductive, and should be prescribed only in the short term, except in limited specific cases. Short-acting benzodiazepines ( e.g., temazepam or oxazepam), or possibly zopiclone, are currently the drugs of choice.