General Medicine
Question #151
221 days ago
127

Sleep disorder - #151

Lalitha Sahasra

How can I help an old man (93 years old) who has a disturbed sleep regime? Active at night, falls asleep in the morning and in bed before lunch. During the day, drowsiness, blood pressure jumps, often increased pulse and arrhythmia. It takes lercamen, valsokor and cardiomagnil. There are no obvious mental disorders, however, the sense of time is lost. What can be done to help at this age?

Sleep disorder
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Doctors’ responses

To help the elderly man with his disturbed sleep pattern and other symptoms, Ayurvedic treatments would focus on calming the Vata dosha, which governs movement and can become imbalanced with age. You haven’t given details of his digestion or metabolism.
Accepted response

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Ayurvedic Prescription for Disturbed Sleep in Elderly Evening Routine: Warm sesame oil foot massage before bed. Reduce stimulating activities after 6 PM. Morning sunlight exposure to reset the sleep-wake cycle. Herbal Support: Tagara (Indian Valerian): Small dose at bedtime for sleep. Diet: Light, warm evening meals (soups, khichdi). Warm milk with nutmeg before bed. Lifestyle: Nadi Shodhana pranayama before sleep. Gentle Abhyanga (oil massage) with warm sesame oil. Herbal tea with chamomile, cardamom, and fennel at night. Monitor BP and Heart Health: Regular checks for blood pressure and heart rate. Low-salt, caffeine-free diet. Consult his physician before starting any new herbs or treatments due to his medications and heart condition.

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At that age, sleep issues can get a bit tricky. It's great you're looking into ways to help him. You're right on track thinkin' about his whole routine. For someone at 93, disturbances like these can be linked to Vata imbalances, and Ayurvedically speaking, that’s where we start. First off, his sleep pattern sounds off – being active at night and snoozing in the morning. Try gently shifting this rhythm. Encourage exposure to natural sunlight in the mornings. This can help reset his internal clock a little, nudging that sense of time back to its track. A short, calm walk outside if weather permits might do wonders. Now, regarding food – meals at consistent times can help. Give him warm, cooked foods that are easy to digest like kitchari or simple soups. Stick to light evening meals, as heavy dinners may keep him awake at night. Something like warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg or ashwagandha at night can gently ease him into sleep. Now his meds, they're doing heavy lifting, so better avoid clashes. But always a good idea to let another doc or pharmacist know before trying something new. Especially if he’s having those blood pressure jumps or arrhythmia. Lercamen, valsokor and cardiomagnil are important, no skipping or swapping without professional nod. Finally, a simple routine of calming activities before bed might help – gentle reading, listening to calming music, or guided meditation. Basically, anything that winds down instead of jazzing him up. Avoid TV or blue-light screens an hour before bed. Always alert healthcare professional if there's changes in symptoms, particularly with his heart condition in sight. They're in the better position for a complete review. You’re a champ for caring so much about his wellbeing!

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