Age 67 - My plan to avoid Alzheimer's

[fh2000]

I'm reading a great book at the moment about Sleep which suggests having 8 hours sleep into older years is linked to avoiding alzheimers. It suggested that nrem sleep performs a nightly clean of the brain. As I enjoy sleep I'm in favour

I am doing the exercise and healthy eating, but I have a worry of my sleep pattern. I only sleep 5-6 hours each night. I go to bed around 10:30PM. After listening to a podcast, I fall asleep at around 11:00 PM. By 4:30AM I wake up naturally and can't go back to sleep again. I may take a nap for 15 minutes during the day, and that is about it.

I am 63 now. For all of my adult life, I do not remember I ever sleep more than 7 hours. So do I simply not need much sleep comparing to other people, or I am in trouble?

 

[meleana]

I am doing the exercise and healthy eating, but I have a worry of my sleep pattern. I only sleep 5-6 hours each night. I go to bed around 10:30PM. After listening to a podcast, I fall asleep at around 11:00 PM. By 4:30AM I wake up naturally and can't go back to sleep again. I may take a nap for 15 minutes during the day, and that is about it.

I am 63 now. For all of my adult life, I do not remember I ever sleep more than 7 hours. So do I simply not need much sleep comparing to other people, or I am in trouble?

I can't sleep hardly at all. In my 40's I used to sleep great, but as I got older I just can't, though I am tired. I twist and turn. I thought after I quit my job maybe it would be different but I now have pain in one of my legs and it has gotten worse. I have tried almost everything and nothing works.

 

[MRG]

I can't sleep hardly at all. In my 40's I used to sleep great, but as I got older I just can't, though I am tired. I twist and turn. I thought after I quit my job maybe it would be different but I now have pain in one of my legs and it has gotten worse. I have tried almost everything and nothing works.

Some folks think CBD is helpful for sleep. You can get them most places now. Mary's medicinals is a good brand.

I've had issues my whole life, I find some sound apps helpful. I also use some visualization techniques to focus my mind. Good luck.

 

[audreyh1]

I can't sleep hardly at all. In my 40's I used to sleep great, but as I got older I just can't, though I am tired. I twist and turn. I thought after I quit my job maybe it would be different but I now have pain in one of my legs and it has gotten worse. I have tried almost everything and nothing works.

Perimenopausal and later hormone imbalances often affect sleep, making uninterrupted sleep almost impossible.

Obviously not related to your leg problem though.

 

[2177V]

I go to bed around 8 PM because I also have an issue waking up after 4 or 5 hours (around 1 am) and I can't fall asleep again. Falling asleep initially is not a problem.

I ended up taking one tablet of Walmart sleep aid (25mg of Diphenhydramine) if I can't fall asleep. The instructions stated I can take 2 tablets but I did not want to do that. This one tablet helped me get the extra 4 hours of sleep and I wake up around 7 pm ready to go to the gym.

My doctor told me Sleep Aid is a sedative and I should attempt other measures such as relaxing sleep music, decaf chamomile tea, warm milk, read a book for 30 minutes, have your mom sing you a lullaby, (just kidding, but you can search "Lullaby Music") and avoid caffinated coffee, chocolate or certain sweet foods during the day that may keep you awake at night.

My suggestion: Work with your doctor who may refer you to a sleep specialist.

 

[spender400]

I go to bed around 8 PM because I also have an issue waking up after 4 or 5 hours (around 1 am) and I can't fall asleep again. Falling asleep initially is not a problem.

I ended up taking one tablet of Walmart sleep aid (25mg of Diphenhydramine) if I can't fall asleep. The instructions stated I can take 2 tablets but I did not want to do that. This one tablet helped me get the extra 4 hours of sleep and I wake up around 7 pm ready to go to the gym.

My doctor told me Sleep Aid is a sedative and I should attempt other measures such as relaxing sleep music, decaf chamomile tea, warm milk, read a book for 30 minutes, have your mom sing you a lullaby, (just kidding, but you can search "Lullaby Music") and avoid caffinated coffee, chocolate or certain sweet foods during the day that may keep you awake at night.

My suggestion: Work with your doctor who may refer you to a sleep specialist.

For anyone who's interested in the book it's Matthew Walker, 'Why we sleep'. Quite a good read and refers to benefits of a daytime nap for those who can afford the time.

 

[ckelly78z]

I've found that covering my head/ears keeps me sleeping longer, as well as staying warm (whatever it takes). I noticed that applying hand lotion on my dry/cracked hands helps, as well as running a fan for white noise, and circulation. I tend to hear every little noise if I don't have white noise, or at least ear plugs in.

Some people shower before bed, but I find it makes me too hot, and most stay away from any caffeine after mid afternoon. I think eating an earlier evening meal, and staying away from TV/bright lights, and noise will help calm you down prior to bed.

There are certain foods that do weird things with your dreams, ice cream gives me vivid, unsettling ones, while milk/cookies makes long pleasant dreams.

 

[spender400]

I've found that covering my head/ears keeps me sleeping longer, as well as staying warm (whatever it takes). I noticed that applying hand lotion on my dry/cracked hands helps, as well as running a fan for white noise, and circulation. I tend to hear every little noise if I don't have white noise, or at least ear plugs in.

Some people shower before bed, but I find it makes me too hot, and most stay away from any caffeine after mid afternoon. I think eating an earlier evening meal, and staying away from TV/bright lights, and noise will help calm you down prior to bed.

There are certain foods that do weird things with your dreams, ice cream gives me vivid, unsettling ones, while milk/cookies makes long pleasant dreams.

Definitely agree on the caffeine, I have to watch my intake as I love coffee and tea.