Resumen

D'HYVER DE LAS DESES, Carlos. Alterations of sleep in older adults. Rev. Fac. Med. (Méx.) [online]. 2018, vol.61, n.1, pp.33-45. ISSN 2448-4865.

Insomnia is highly prevalent in the population and even more in the elderly. Nearly 50% of the population suffers from insomnia. It is a problem associated with a great number of disorders: decreased physical ability, lack of concentration and attention problems; many diseases are worsened and this ends up producing a decrease in the quality of life of these people. Insomnia is also interrelated with multiple physical, psychological and social problems, these can worsen or be the cause of other sleep disorders.

Recognizing sleep disorders and classifying them adequately helps to determine the need for complementary studies, select the most appropriate individual management, recommend non-pharmacological management (cognitive behavioral therapy, environmental management) and if necessary, to determine the most suitable type of drug, taking into consideration its possible association with other diseases (COPD, depression, anxiety, restless legs syndrome, etc.).

This small review aims to present to the general practitioner the basis for attending an elderly patient suffering from sleep disturbances. Taking into account, that there are changes produced by aging that alter the sleep-wake cycle and the psychosocial changes that occur.

Palabras llave : Insomnia; elderly; old.