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In a corner of the bustling market, there is a shoe repair shop, and the owner is named Uncle Zhao, who is 72 years old this year.
Despite his advanced age, Uncle Zhao still insists on getting up early every day to open the store and enthusiastically repair worn shoes for customers.
Recently, however, he found himself sleeping restlessly at night, often dreaming and waking up easily, and always feeling tired the next morning.
"Uncle Zhao, your recent sleep situation is not ideal, it may be related to your health condition, it is recommended to go to the hospital for a comprehensive examination." Dr. Wang, a family doctor, reminded with concern.
At the hospital, Uncle Zhao underwent a series of physical examinations, which showed that he had mild heart disease and type 2 diabetes, which may be one of the reasons for his sleep quality.
The doctor explained that for elderly people like Uncle Zhao, sleep is not only rest, but also a way to recuperate.
Doctors note that sleep patterns may change as we age, and older people tend to need more time to catch up on sleep to help the body recover and repair.
Especially for people with chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, a good night's sleep is essential for disease management.
The doctor also shared some specific data and studies stating that sleep problems are very common in people with heart disease, and about 50% of people with heart disease experience sleep disturbances.
These sleep disorders not only exacerbate the heart's burden, but can also lead to worsening of the condition.
In addition, sleep in people with diabetes is closely related to blood sugar control, and studies have shown that insufficient or poor sleep can make blood sugar control more difficult.
In Uncle Zhao's case, the doctor advised him to adjust his lifestyle and sleep habits, such as avoiding excessive fluid intake at night, reducing carbohydrate intake at dinner, and recommending the use of some sleep aids, such as white noise machine or gentle bedtime yoga.
In order to improve Uncle Zhao's quality of life, the doctor also recommended that he attend "Healthy Sleep" lectures organized by the community center, which are specially designed for the elderly, including how to improve the sleeping environment and choose the right sleeping position.
Through education and practice, doctors hope to help Uncle Zhao and similar geriatric patients improve their sleep quality so that they can manage their chronic diseases more effectively.
After Uncle Zhao adjusted according to the doctor's advice, he found that his sleep had improved significantly.
He felt more energetic than before, and even began to promote what he learned in the "Healthy Sleep" lecture to help more elderly friends understand how to recuperate and improve their health by optimizing sleep.
Through Uncle Zhao's experience, this story highlights that for the elderly, quality sleep is an important part of health management, especially for patients with chronic diseases.
The question at the end of the article is: Considering the importance of sleep in the management of chronic diseases in older adults, how can we raise awareness and support for sleep problems in older adults at the family and community levels?
Analysis of this issue suggests that awareness of sleep problems in older adults is needed first and foremost through education and support from family members.
Family members should learn to recognize possible sleep disturbance symptoms in older adults and provide necessary assistance, such as adjusting the home environment to ensure a quiet and comfortable sleeping environment.
Second, the community should provide sleep management education and services for the elderly, such as organizing regular healthy sleep workshops and lectures, and providing professional sleep counseling services.
In addition, healthcare providers should enhance monitoring and intervention for sleep problems in older patients with chronic diseases, regularly assess their sleep status and provide individualized management recommendations.
These comprehensive measures can help significantly improve the quality of sleep in older adults, thereby contributing to their overall health.
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