Although sleep requirements may not differ between young and middle-aged adults, older adults tend to have a more difficulty getting their required amount of sleep.[1] Some studies have suggested that, rather than being an intrinsic part of the aging process, sleep deficiencies may be secondary to other illnesses in older people.[2] Regardless of the cause, both short and long sleep durations have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality.[3] Some researchers have speculated that negative health-associations with long sleep duration may be due to decreased sleep quality due to sleep fragmentation.[3]
References
- ^Chaput JP, Dutil C, Sampasa-Kanyinga HSleeping hours: what is the ideal number and how does age impact this?Nat Sci Sleep.(2018)
- ^Vitiello MV, Moe KE, Prinz PNSleep complaints cosegregate with illness in older adults: clinical research informed by and informing epidemiological studies of sleep.J Psychosom Res.(2002-Jul)
- ^Grandner MA, Drummond SPWho are the long sleepers? Towards an understanding of the mortality relationship.Sleep Med Rev.(2007-Oct)