The prevalence of sleep loss and sleep disorders in young and old adults

Abstract

The ability to sleep declines with age. The National Sleep Foundation, USA has recommended a minimum sleep amount for all ages. Individuals who experience sleep lesser than the recommended amount could be sleep-deprived. Several factors like stress, altered circadian cycle, medical conditions, etc. cause sleep deficiency. Almost 50–60 % of elderly population suffer from sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, REM sleep behavior disorder, etc. Chronic sleep deprivation may further lead to the development of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This paper reviews the prevalence of sleep disorders and consequences of sleep loss in young and old adults.