As you get older, you lose your morning sleep... but if it's at this level, suspect illness

As people age, their natural tendency is to sleep less in the morning. In fact, many elderly individuals wake up early in the morning and are active from the early dawn. This is a natural phenomenon caused by brain aging, but it could also be due to insomnia resulting from physical illnesses.

◇뇌 노화·멜라토닌 분비 감소가 원인 나이가 들수록 아침잠이 없어지는 주요 원인은 뇌의 노화다. 뇌의 시상하부가 수면과 각성을 담당하는데, 이 부위가 노화되면서 생체리듬 조절능력이 떨어진다. 또 시상하부는 잠을 잘 때 심부 체온을 평균보다 1도 떨어뜨리고 일어날 때는 정상체온으로 돌아오게 한다. 그러나 시상하부 노화로 체온 조절이 적절히 안 되면 젊은 층보다 2~3시간 일찍 체온이 떨어지게 되고 정상체온으로도 일찍 돌아가는데, 이것이 수면 패턴을 깨뜨린다.

A decrease in melatonin secretion is also a cause. Melatonin is a hormone that induces sleep, and its secretion increases two hours before sleep and decreases when the sun rises. Melatonin is secreted from the pineal gland in the brain, but as people age and the pineal gland degenerates, melatonin secretion also decreases. Because melatonin disappears quickly, people wake up early in the early morning.

◇Insomnia caused by physical illnesses Insomnia can also be caused by physical illnesses. As people age, they develop various pains in the body, including respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases. If there are degenerative diseases such as arthritis, pain can prevent sleep, and issues like prostate problems or overactive bladder can cause nocturia or frequent urination, leading to difficulty sleeping. As a result, individuals may find it hard to fall asleep easily, wake up frequently during the night, and not sleep deeply even in the early morning. If these symptoms appear, it is advisable to visit a hospital and consult with a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.

◇If you maintain a regular sleep schedule, you don't need to worry even if you wake up early and feel clear-headed, as it indicates you have had enough sleep. Sleeping regularly for about 5 to 6 hours each day poses no significant health issues. Instead of forcing yourself to take a nap just because you wake up early, increasing your daytime activity can help you achieve deeper sleep at night.

However, if insomnia becomes severe and interferes with daily life, it is advisable to consult a sleep specialist and consider taking a small amount of sleep medication or undergoing cognitive-behavioral therapy. Establishing a regular sleep schedule by going to bed at the same time each night also helps improve insomnia. Spending enough time in sunlight and engaging in outdoor activities during the day can also greatly aid in resolving insomnia. Exposure to sunlight stimulates melatonin production, which helps normalize the sleep cycle.

<Source: Health Chosun>