What is an elimination diet?

An elimination diet is the gradual identification of foods that may cause adverse effects when consumed. As the name suggests, these foods are eventually identified by the process of elimination – simply through trial and error. Most people who opt for this process either have allergies or experience conditions such as migraines with the consumption of certain foods. There are usually specific medical conditions linked to these foods.

The more definitive symptoms like diarrhea, skin rashes, headaches and abdominal symptoms are typically accepted as an indication that the food may be a trigger factor. However, in some instances there are vague symptoms which cannot be ascribed to a specific medication condition. Yet a person knows that one or more foods may be the trigger for these symptoms. It can be as vague as a generalized feeling of being unwell (malaise), to fatigue, or even changes in mood.

Process of Eliminating Foods

The easiest route in an elimination diet is to list the possible foods suspected of being the trigger and stop consuming it altogether. If the symptoms clear, or do not return while these foods are being avoided, then it is fairly conclusive that food in question is the problem. However, it is not often this simple with elimination diets.

An alternative option is to remove several foods from the diet simultaneously and gradually introduce these foods back one at a time. The recurrence of the symptoms is an indicator that the most recent food introduced is the most likely trigger. This is a broad approach that can be long and drawn out and still raise concerns about food combinations.

The more extreme method is to remove almost all foods from the diet except unprocessed and simple foods which are definitely known not to be a trigger. Gradually a new food is introduced back in the diet. Should the symptoms recur, then this food is avoided again and other foods slowly added back. The suspected food is then brought back into the diet at a later stage. It is a very slow process.

Confirming Foods for Elimination

Sometimes when there is uncertainty that a specific food is definitely the cause of the symptoms, a person may have to undergo a food challenge. The causative food is re-introduced into the diet and provided that it is not causing any life threatening symptoms, it is continued while other foods recently introduced are stopped. Should the symptoms continue then the suspected food is the most likely cause of the symptoms in question. It is a means of confirming that the body cannot tolerate the suspected food.

However, in the process of undertaking these measures, a person can strain the body both from the major change in eating habits, starving at times leading to nutritional deficiencies or the accumulation of the suspected food in the system in an attempt to confirm its effect. This may not cause discomfort but can also be serious if there is no medical supervision. Therefore elimination testing should only be done after consulting with a medical professional who is overlooking the process on a regular basis. In the elderly there is the added risk that chronic medication and chronic diseases may further cloud the assessment and identification of problem foods.

Dangers that Heat Waves Pose to Seniors

A heat wave can be dangerous for any person. However, it is especially so for babies, young children and the elderly for various reasons. As a person gets older, there temperature control mechanisms are not as efficient. In fact it is not uncommon for an older person to be feeling cold even in a warm to hot environment.

The temperature control centers in the brain becomes less sensitive with age and may therefore not initiate the correct cooling mechanisms when the body becomes overheated. This is not just a matter of age but also a result of using certain chronic medication and various chronic diseases that can either affect the temperature control center or its mechanisms.

Even though a person acclimatizes to the temperature changes in their natural habitat, a heat wave brings upon excessively high temperatures for prolonged periods of time. It occurs suddenly and the body does not have the time to adapt. The persistence of these elevated temperatures also does not allow the body time to recuperate. There is the added danger when seniors go on vacation to traditionally hotter climates and then a heat wave may strike at the destination.

This can cause heat related illnesses. The most serious is a heat stroke but it is preceded by heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Therefore the typical heat stroke symptoms are not present at the outset. Dehydration is one of the main complications as the body loses water and salts (electrolytes) which on its own can be fatal. However, even overheating without dehydration can be life-threatening as various essential process in the body become disrupted and shut down.

Precautions for Seniors during Heat Waves

Seniors should not solely depend on their perception of temperature. If the mercury is rising and most people are trying to stay cool, the elderly should follow suit. Sweating is not a reliable indicator of the body being overheated. The elderly may suffer with conditions like hypohidrosis or anhidrosis where there is little or no sweating despite the rise in the body temperature. Simple measures include :

• Dressing with light colored and thin airy clothes.
• Staying out of the sun and heat as much as possible.
• Not exercising or going for long walks in hot weather.
• Drinking plenty of fluids. Water alone is not sufficient. Oral rehydrating solutions add salts (electrolytes) to the water and can be purchased from most stores and pharmacies.
• Resting in the shade or air conditioned rooms.
• Using water and other means of cooling the body should there be an absence of sweating despite the body temperature rising.
• Avoid traveling to hot climates during the summer months.
• Being aware of the early symptoms of heat related illnesses like cramps, exhaustion, nausea, headaches and other symptoms that may come about suddenly and seeking treatment immediately.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is essentially a feeling of worry and nervousness. It is only a problem if it persists for long periods of time despite there being no clear cause of worry, or if it recurs continuously even about everyday activities and events. Most of us do not experience anxiety about routine events in life. When this starts occurring then it is a clear indication that the anxiety is out of control and part of a disorder – generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Causes of Anxiety in the Elderly

The exact reason why anxiety occurs is not well understood. Sometimes it may be part of other conditions like depression. However, anxiety is almost twice as common as depression in the elderly. It is possible that there is an imbalance in some of the brain hormones like serotonin and dopamine but this cannot always be conclusively identified.

Anxiety may occur with certain conditions like Parkinson’s disease, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) and even menopause. However, in the elderly there may also be other reasons that are not commonly seen in younger individuals. Worry about finances, debilitating illnesses, being alone should a spouse die and death itself is not uncommon. Just thinking about these events or situations may trigger an anxiety attack.

While anxiety in these cases is understandable, it is a problem if it persistent for six months or more and in particular if it is triggered during routine activities. Often the anxiety starts up for no reason or even with everyday tasks like driving or visiting the mall.

Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety is often missed in the elderly as is the case with depression. The main reason is that there is a misconception that feeling sad or being worried is a normal part of aging. However, there are definitive ways to determine when a person is having a ‘down’ day or is stressed from  depression and anxiety. It is therefore advisable that these psychological states are assessed by a mental health professional.

The signs and symptoms of anxiety are similar to depression symptoms. This includes :

• Constant state of worry and concern
• Irritability
• Sudden mood changes
• Restless and uneasiness
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Poor memory
• Difficulty breathing
• Trembling
• Sweating
• Nausea and sometimes vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Generalized aches and pains

Treatment of Anxiety in the Elderly

Medication and psychotherapy are the main approaches for treating anxiety. Since the elderly may be using chronic medication for other conditions, these drugs should be used only under the strict supervision of a doctor. Medication for anxiety may include antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and mild tranquilizers

It is important for anxiety patients to note that psychotherapy and counseling is not an overnight solution. Treatment in this regard is ongoing for months and even years but when combined with lifestyle changes it can be very effective in treating and managing depression in the long run. It is the preferred solution rather just opting for lifetime of medication.

Why smoking causes coughing?

Initially the irritants in smoke inflames the airways and stimulates cough receptors. This causes a person to cough until the irritant is removed. Cigarette smokers tend to indulge several times in a day and shortly after the irritant is cleared, it is inhaled again. The cycle is ongoing unless a person stops smoking. It can also be due to secondary smoke which is why passive smokers may also have this smoker’s cough.

The other reason for the ongoing cough among cigarette smokers is post nasal drip where excessive secretions from the nasal cavity leaks into the back of the throat. Smoking worsens existing post nasal drip as well. Here it tickles the throat and elicits a shallow and abrupt cough. Long term cigarette smoking can cause permanent damage to the airways and even lungs. This is seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. A cough is more prominent in chronic bronchitis.

Other Causes of Smoker’s Cough

The main causes of coughing due to smoking is irritants in the airways, post nasal drip and chronic bronchitis as mentioned above. These conditions can also affect non-smokers. There are also other possible causes which may be seen in both smoker’s and non-smokers.

Acid Reflux

This is a commonly ignored cause of a cough but occurs when acid rises up as high as the throat. It irritates the throat and elicits coughing. Reflux is more likely to occur in the elderly and even though heartburn and other typical symptoms are absent, it needs to be investigated since it is very common.

Asthma

Although the main respiratory symptom of asthma is wheezing, asthmatics also tend to suffer with mild coughing. This is present even when a person feels that they are able to breathe freely. Once the airways tighten up, the wheezing becomes more prominent than the cough.

Post-Infection Cough

Respiratory tract infections include the common cold, flu and acute bronchitis. Even after these conditions clear up there may be a persistent cough for days or weeks afterwards. It usually settles on its own over time.

Hay Fever

Allergies to dust, pollen and spores causes excessive production of mucus in the nose. It is known as allergic rhinitis or commonly as hay fever. Patients also suffer with sensitivity to strong odors and smoke. The mucus can drip down into the back of the throat and irritate it – post nasal drip. The term post nasal drip is a broad term for irritation of the throat caused by the nasal mucus and includes hay fever.

Heart Failure

Slowly progressing cardiac failure can cause “water” in the lungs over a long period of time. This affects the lung capacity and irritates the respiratory tissue. A persistent cough is therefore possible. This is a significant cause in the elderly who are more likely to be suffering with cardiac failure for a number of reasons.

Medication

Some drugs may also cause constant coughing as a side effect. This is mainly medication such as ACE inhibitors used in the treatment for high blood pressure. ACE inhibitors are widely used by the elderly who are more likely to suffer with hypertension. Other drugs may also be responsible but none as are as major a contributing factor as ACE inhibitors.

Infections

The main infection that causes prolonged coughing is tuberculosis (TB). Other TB symptoms like weight loss and coughing up blood (hemoptysis) may not be identifiable in the early stages. Weight loss and night sweats along with the coughing should raise the concern about TB. It is more likely to occur in the elderly who have lower immune defenses.

Tumors

Tumors in the throat, airways and lungs can also cause coughing. Generalized symptoms like weight loss and fatigue may be the only other noticeable symptom in the early stages. A tumor should not be suspected immediately without doing further tests to confirm its presence.

Other Causes

Various other conditions can also cause chronic coughing although it does not involve the lung directly. This includes diseases such as chronic tonsillitis, tonsil stones and enlarged thyroid gland.

Common Symptoms of Depression

The common symptoms of depression are not easy to spot in the elderly who tend to have more health problems which can present with the same symptoms. Just the age-related changes in the body without any disease can sometimes be missed from the actual symptoms of depression. This includes :

• Sadness
• Withdrawing from one’s social circles
• Tiredness
• Weight loss
• Appetite changes
• Sleep problems – difficulty sleeping or sleeping excessively
• Loss of self worth
• Discontinuing hobbies and interests
• Excessive use of drugs (prescription medication or even street drugs) and alcohol
• Focused on death

Age brings about many of these symptoms as a person loses their spouse and older friends and family members, stop working and depending on others like their children. However, most people believe that it is normal for seniors to experience these symptoms. While it is to some degree, it needs to be clearly differentiated from depression.

Uncommon Symptoms of Depression

There are some less common symptoms of depression that can be more easily missed since many occur with age anyway. This includes :

• Anxiety
• Poor memory
• Irritability
• Slow movement
• Slurred speech
• Demotivated
• Unenergetic
• Missing meals
• Poor personal hygiene – not having a bath or brushing the teeth regularly.
• Lack of interest in personal appearance – hair, nails, clothing and so on.

Missing the Symptoms of Depression

There is a misconception that depression is a normal part of aging. Therefore the symptoms of depression are often ignored even is obvious to the senior themselves, their partners, family and friends. It is important to remember that depression is a major public health issue in seniors that requires medical treatment.

Another reason that these symptoms are also missed or ignored is that it occurs with many chronic disease that are more likely in the elderly. For example, diabetes mellitus causes tiredness, weight loss and appetite changes. Parkinson’s disease can cause slowness of movement and speech. Alzheimer’s disease can affect the memory. Therefore differentiating from the disease symptoms and depression symptoms is understandably difficult and may even be missed by the family doctor.

Furthermore the elderly are more likely to be using chronic medication. The side effects of these drugs may cause symptoms that closely resemble depression. Therefore depression symptoms can be mistaken as side effects. In the elderly with severe chronic diseases and where the treatment options are limited, these symptoms are just ignored and the senior is expected to live with it.

Lastly there is the question of whether grief and fears seen in the elderly is a part of depression. Sometimes these emotions may exist and even consume a person for a period of time without it being depression as such. It is therefore important to consider some of the causes of depression as well when trying to determine if a senior is depressed or not.

A heart attack is a serious cardiac event where a portion of the heart muscle dies when its blood supply is interrupted. It is also known as a myocardial infarction (MI) and is one of the leading causes of death especially in the elderly. Most heart attacks are a consequence of coronary artery disease (CAD) but there are several other causes of a heart attack that also need to be considered.

How does the heart attack chest pain feel?

The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain. It is described as a constricting pain which gradually gets worse. When the pain starts with strenuous physical activity or emotional stress yet eases with rest then it is most likely angina pectoris and not a heart attack. Angina pectoris is a warning sign that a heart attack will occur unless the root cause is treated. Angina pain is quickly received by nitrates also known as TNT or nitroglycerin. Heart attack pain is not.

Although heart attack chest pain is constricting in nature, there are times where it can be quite uncharacteristic. It may be burning pain similar to heartburn. Sometimes the typical pain expected with a heart attack is not even present and this can be misleading. Other symptoms may or may not be present and a person is confused about whether they are having a heart attack or not. Pain on its own is therefore an unreliable indicator of a heart attack.

Am I having a heart attack?

There are instances when a heart attack is not that obvious. Several commonly missed heart attack symptoms exist that may be mistaken for other problems like acid reflux. It is therefore always advisable to go to the emergency room immediately should you suspect that you are having a heart attack. An ECG ans cardiac enzymes blood test will be a more conclusive indication of whether you are having a heart attack or not.

There are some characteristic signs that need to be noted.

• Central chest pain radiating to the arm, neck, jaw or upper part of the abdomen. Usually on the left side of body.
• Difficulty breathing – shortness of breath as if not getting enough air.
• Nausea and sometimes vomiting.
• Sudden and excessive sweating which is uncharacteristic.
• Lightheadedness and dizziness.
• Fainting.
• Anxiety with an impending sense of doom

Other symptoms like paleness of the skin, cold clammy skin and confusion may also be present.

Can a heart attack be treated?

Modern medicine is very effective in limiting and managing a heart attack. However, the heart muscle that is destroyed with a heart attack can never be restored. Damaged areas can heal but not dead muscle tissue. Medicines will be given to help open up the blood flow to the heart muscle and keep it open. Surgery will also help to keep the blood flow going by unblocking the affected artery in the heart wall and establishing an alternate route for the blood.

Many of these measures can be undertaken before a heart attack to minimize the severity of the event or even prevent it altogether. However, a massive heart attack that strikes suddenly without any preventative measures in place or treatment options rapidly available is fatal in most instances. For the elderly there is a much greater risk and sometimes even the best treatment may not be able to prevent death.

Is a heart attack dangerous in seniors?

A heart attack is dangerous for any person of any age. It does hold considerably more risk for the elderly as the body’s ability to survive such events is reduced with age. Even rapid treatment may not be sufficient when a heart attack occurs in an older person. Heart attacks in the elderly is often complicated further by chronic diseases, some of which has existed for years and caused considerable damage to the heart and body.

Most heart attacks happen in people over the age of 60 years of age. The survival rate is lower in this age group than it is in younger people who have a heart attack. The life expectancy is also much lower and people over 75 years who have a heart attack do not have a promising survival rate beyond 90 days after the event. Nevertheless, the risk and survival rate depends on individual cases.

Causes of Depression in Seniors

Any number of life events, situations, chronic diseases and medication can contribute to depression. The causes in this regard may differ among age groups meaning that what can trigger depression in a teen is less likely to do so in a senior and vice versa. It is also largely dependent on one’s coping skills and priorities in life. Overall, it is rare for depression to occur for no known reason. Understandably there are certain factors, which are more likely to be seen in later life,that is very likely to contribute depression.

Loneliness

Humans are essentially social beings who are in need of contact and communication with others. Feeling isolated or actually being isolated from family, friends and even the community can quickly lead to depression.

This is more likely in a senior who has lost a spouse, is living a distance from their family, has moved to a new city without the social support they are accustomed to or are physically debilitated and unable to venture out and interact with others.

Grief

Death of family or friends and even a pet can also lead to depression among seniors. It is not only the loss of the person or pet in question, but also the grim reminder that death is an inevitability that is close at hand in the senior years.

Sometimes there is a breakdown in a relationship and this is seen in particular with divorce which may occur in the senior years. The grief in being separated from a loved one for whatever reason can also contribute to depression.

Fear

There are different fears that people experience at different stages of their life. For the elderly it often revolves around illness, death, being alone, economic difficulty in the retirement years and so on. These fears can contribute to anxiety and depression.

Some fears are largely unfounded. However, there are also certain factors and situations that are more likely to be faced by an older person which could easily lead to fears and contribute to both anxiety and depression.

Illness

Depression can arise with various illness either as a direct impact of the disease process or as a complication due to the pain, suffering and debility associated with the disease. It is important to differentiate depression from certain neurological conditions seen more commonly in the elderly such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. While depression can arise with these diseases, sometimes the symptoms of these diseases are mistaken for depression.

Medication

Prescription medication can have a host of side effects and can also impact on mental health. Among the elderly who are more likely to be using chronic medication, this can be a major contributing factor to depression. Some drugs used for neurological conditions can also have an adverse effect on the brain hormones that play a central role in mood and therefore mental health. While these drugs may be essential for the management of the existing disease, there are various measures that can be taken to counteract its contributing effect to depression in the elderly.

Although it is considered somewhat acceptable for the elderly to be using prescription medication with a narcotic effect, the idea of them indulging in street drugs is considered to be uncharacteristic for their age. However, the reality is that some seniors may be partaking in street drugs for various reasons that is often not understood by those around them.

Reasons for the Elderly using Drugs

Addiction

Substance dependence is a problem among all age groups. In seniors it is more often a case of addiction to prescription medication like painkillers and sleeping tablets. Addiction to illicit drugs, although uncommon among the elderly, is possible with a person who has been using narcotic street drugs from earlier in life. Often, however, an addict may not survive till the senior years.

Pain management

Painful chronic conditions that are not easily relieved by prescription medication may compel a senior to consider alternative substances like alcohol or even illicit drugs. Marijuana is one such drug used illicitly for pain management although medical marijuana can be legally prescribed in certain countries. However, various drugs may also be used by the elderly for pain relief.

Recreational use

Sometimes illicit drugs are used for recreational purposes in a similar way to alcohol. It is a means of relaxing and possibly even enjoying certain social setting. The elderly are at times more adventurous and may partake in illicit drugs just to try something new. Even peer pressure can be a factor among seniors although it is often thought to be an issue among teens. Some of these drugs may also be used prior to partaking in sexual activities as it is believed to increase stamina.

Depression

Depression in the elderly may occur for various reasons, some of which are linked to aging, chronic diseases, death of a loved one and the change in the social structure as a person gets older. Illicit drugs may be used as a means to deal with depression and induce a euphoria that counteracts the depressive state. The elderly may also be less likely to seek costly medical solutions for what is at times deemed as unnecessary ailments, such as with depression. Illicit drugs may therefore seem to be the cheaper option to counteract the depressed state.

Why are illicit drugs dangerous?

Illicit drugs as it is known is dangerous for all age groups. However there is the added danger for the elderly as the age-related changes in the body, chronic disease and the concurrent use of prescription medication can lead to dangerous side effects or drug interactions when illicit drugs are consumed. This means that the body of an older person may not be able to deal with the chemical effects of illicit drugs. Even the once off use of a narcotic or low doses can adversely affect one’s health and lead to death.

The main problems lie with the changes in the cardiovascular system. Illicit drugs can speed up the heart rate, or drop it to a very slow rate, drastically increase or decrease blood pressure and causes abnormalities in the heart rhythm. This can lead to a heart attack or rob the brain of a sufficient blood and oxygen supply thereby leading to a stroke. The elderly with age-related deterioration of the body may not be able to survive these events. There is also the risk of illicit drugs hampering normal brain activity, worsening neurological diseases or even triggering some of these conditions.

However, it is important to remember that while the risk is higher in the elderly, any person of any age group can be risking their health and life by using these illicit drugs. Therefore a person should not at any time feel that they are at less of a risk when using illicit narcotic drugs because they are younger or in better health than others. Illicit drugs should be avoided altogether and should never be considered as an alternative for prescription medication or useful in the treatment of chronic conditions.

Many seniors experience difficulty surviving financially on limited savings and pensions and need to supplement their income especially with the rising cost of living across the globe. Whatever the reason, the reality is that seniors may either want or need to work but the question often arises especially from family, friends, work colleagues and sometimes customers – should a senior be in the work environment?

Which seniors should be working?

Those who are concerned about seniors being in the work environment and even seniors themselves, should first ask – what does it take to have a good employee irrespective of age. The key points are an employee with :

• Endurance to handle the physical side of the job
• Mental faculties for conducting the mental side of tasks
• Knowledge of the industry to fulfil the position
• Experience in the specific job and industry

Age as such should not be a criterion if a person is able to meet with these requirements. Although there are some labor restrictions in terms of people working certain jobs, there is no reason why a senior cannot continue contributing productively in other jobs if they are fit to do so.

Problems with working in the senior years

Although seniors may have a wealth of experience for certain jobs, the age-related deterioration in the body and onset of chronic conditions are the major limiting factors for working in the latter years. A short career span is another. However, not every senior has these chronic conditions or are severely limited by physical and mental changes with age.

There is nevertheless the risk of even minor age-related deterioration in the senses, coordination, muscle strength and cognitive function compromising a senior’s ability to perform certain tasks as required. When this involves driving and operating heavy machinery, it can lead to accidents that can place the senior, other workers and members of the public at risk. A company is also more likely to face litigation in this regard.

Problems with finding a job in the senior years

Often the problem lies in businesses not wanting to invest in seniors as they have a short career span ahead. Businesses would rather have older employees hand over the reigns to younger workers who are more likely to remain for longer periods of time in the company. Younger workers are also less likely to face health constraints as is the case with the elderly and businesses therefore see them as being more productive in the long term.

It is important that seniors be practical about their ability to work. Businesses lose money when employees cannot attend work and seniors are more likely to take days off for being ill. The company can therefore not be assured of continued and uninterrupted service. Once the business activities of a company are being compromised, a senior may not have any job security.

Nevertheless there are many businesses that value the contribution of employees in their senior years. Similarly there are seniors who are keen to work and capable of doing the job well, sometimes even better than their younger counterparts. Apart from the financial remuneration, working can give a senior a more structured purpose in life, which can also prove to be beneficial in one’s physical and mental health.

Often the elderly tend to feel tired more quickly than younger people which is largely related to a decrease in endurance and stamina associated with advancing age. This simply means that an older person gets tired faster and even slightly extra activity can lead to fatigue. However, fatigue is also a symptom of various diseases and is therefore more common in the elderly who are more likely to be suffering with age-related chronic conditions.

Causes of Morning Fatigue

Sleeping is one of the most effective ways to overcome fatigue provided that a person is eating well and is health overall. When sleep is unable to restore one’s vigour, then it needs to be investigated further. Waking up tired is seen as a symptom of various diseases. Morning fatigue is where a person is very tired within a few hours after awaking despite the lack of activity. This as well may be a symptom of certain diseases.

Sleep-related disorders are the most obvious cause of morning fatigue and this includes conditions like restless leg syndrome. In the elderly, it is the age-related changes in physiology, a range of chronic conditions and chronic medication that are most likely to upset normal sleeping patterns. It is important to remember that good quality sleep is linked to a healthy lifestyle and this includes factors such as diet, exercise, alcohol and caffeine consumption and mental health. Some conditions mentioned below are also common reasons for morning fatigue that goes by unnoticed.

Obstructive sleep apnea

This is one of the most common causes of waking up tired. The passages of the upper airways collapse or are blocked by the tongue limiting the intake of fresh air. A person may stop breathing for short periods of time and this causes them to awaken thereby reducing the quality of sleep. A common symptom is awaking with a headache in the morning, loud snoring, waking up gasping for air during the course of the night and feeling sleepy throughout the day.

Acid reflux during sleep

A person with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has a weakened sphincter between the stomach and esophagus (food pipe). This allows the acidic stomach contents to flow backwards up into the esophagus, sometimes reaching as a high as the mouth and nose. It tends to worsen at night as stomach secretion rises during this time, and lying flat allows for the acid to pass up into the esophagus more easily. Heartburn is a typical symptom along with a bad taste in the mouth and sore throat upon waking.

Frequent urination at night

The need to urinate frequently at night, known as nocturia, is a common symptom of various diseases such as diabetes mellitus, prostate problems in men, urinary tract infections and overactive bladder symptom. Sometimes it is a consequence of using certain medication like diuretics for the treatment of high blood pressure. Waking up at night to urinate disrupts the sleep cycle and leads to poor quality sleep. Failure to awaken can lead to bed wetting (nocturnal enuresis).

Respiratory disease and sleep

Any cause of impaired breathing and blood oxygenation will hamper normal sleeping patterns. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and secondary lung disorders like pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) may hamper normal breathing at night while asleep. The most common sign that this is a problem is that a person needs to sleep with more pillows as the disease worsens. Eventually a person may need to be sitting upright in order to stay asleep.