50 when do you sleep

Verlo Mattress. Verlo Corporate. Sleep Health. Sleep Profile: In Your 50s. Sleep Requirements for Adults The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults, including people in their 50s, get seven to nine hours of sleep per night for optimum health. Should You Nap? The blockage causes the tissues in these passages to vibrate, leading to the noise produced when someone snores.

There are two kinds of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when air entering from the nose or mouth is either partially or completely blocked, usually because of obesity or extra tissue in the back of the throat and mouth.

If these episodes occur frequently or are severe, they may cause a person to awaken frequently throughout the night.

This may disrupt their sleep and make them sleepy during the day. Central sleep apnea is less common. Often, both types of sleep apnea occur in the same person. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common among older adults and among people who are significantly overweight.

However, more research is needed to understand the long-term consequences of obstructive sleep apnea in older adults. Two movement disorders that can make it harder to sleep include restless legs syndrome, or RLS, and periodic limb movement disorder, or PLMD.

Both of these conditions cause people to move their limbs when they sleep, leading to poor sleep and daytime drowsiness. Often, both conditions occur in the same person. Restless legs syndrome is a common condition in older adults and affects more than 20 percent of people 80 years and older. People with RLS experience uncomfortable feelings in their legs such as tingling, crawling, or pins and needles. This often makes it hard for them to fall asleep or stay asleep, and causes them to be sleepy during the day.

Although scientists do not fully understand what causes restless legs syndrome, it has been linked to a variety of conditions. Some of these conditions include iron deficiency, kidney failure and dialysis, pregnancy, and nerve abnormalities. Periodic limb movement disorder , or PLMD, is a condition that causes people to jerk and kick their legs every 20 to 40 seconds during sleep.

One study found that roughly 40 percent of older adults have at least a mild form of PLMD. It is somewhat more common in men over the age of REM sleep, or rapid eye movement sleep, is the most active stage of sleep where dreaming often occurs. During normal REM sleep, the eyes move back and forth beneath the eyelids, and muscles cannot move.

In more severe forms of REM sleep behavior disorder, the muscles become quite mobile and sufferers often act out their dreams. Many primary care providers can diagnose sleep disorders and offer suggestions and treatments that can improve your sleep.

Before you visit the doctor, it may be very helpful for you to ask for and keep a sleep diary for a week or more. A sleep diary will give you and your doctor a picture of your sleep habits and schedules and help determine whether they may be affecting your sleep.

During your appointment your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and may have you fill out questionnaires that measure the severity of your sleep problem. It is also helpful to have your bed partner come with you to your appointment since he or she may be able to report symptoms unknown to you like loud snoring, breathing pauses, or movements during sleep.

Since older people are more likely to take medications and to have medical problems that may affect sleep, it is important for your doctor to be aware of any health condition or medication your are taking. The doctor will then perform a physical examination. Medically Reviewed. The National Sleep Foundation NSF and a panel of 18 experts combed through more than studies to identify the ideal amount of time a person needs to sleep according to their age: Newborns 0 to 3 months : 14 to 17 hours of sleep Infants 4 to 11 months : 12 to 15 hours of sleep Toddlers 1 to 2 years : 11 to 14 hours of sleep Preschoolers 3 to 5 years : 10 to 13 hours of sleep School-aged children 6 to 13 years : 9 to 11 hours of sleep Teenagers 14 to 17 years : 8 to 10 hours of sleep Young adults 18 to 25 years : 7 to 9 hours of sleep Adults 26 to 64 years : 7 to 9 hours of sleep Older adults 65 years or older : 7 to 8 hours of sleep.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Hirshkowitz, M, et al. March Glozier, N, et al. Losing Sleep Over Work? Does It Matter? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are some tips for getting your best rest as you age.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. How much sleep do you need? Sleep calculator. Wake-up time Bedtime: 7. What are the stages of sleep? Why is sleep important? Tips for better sleep. The bottom line. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Raj Dasgupta, MD. Ease into Comfort with 10 of the Best Latex Pillows Latex pillows contain ultra-comfortable, supportive latex filling that help support your body all night long.