Medical Questions » Sleep Questions » Question No. 916
| Question: | Why do old people have trouble sleeping? |
| Answer: | You require less sleep as you grow older. Babies may need 14 hours a day, children 10 hours and adults 7 to 8 hours. The elderly can often feel quite comfortable with 5 or 6 hours of sleep. They are also less active than younger adults, and tend to take naps during the day, both of which reduce their need for night-time sleep. Sleeping tablets merely force artificial sleep upon people who do not require it. |
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