Older people tend to have sleep fragmentation. meaning they wake up more often during the night, said study author Dr. Julie Gammack, an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Geriatric Medicine at St. Louis University.

　　They also seem to get less REM sleep, the type of sleep during which rapid eye movement occurs, Bloom added.

　　Its unclear what role these naturally occurring changes in sleep patterns have on a persons quality of life, Bloom said. What is important, though, is that older people often have actual sleep disorders and problems with sleep. he said.

　　And, experts say, there is usually more than one cause.

　　Sleep trouble in older adults is typically associated with acute and chronic illnesses. including specific sleep disorders like sleep apnea(呼吸暂停)and restless leg syndrome that appear with greater frequency in older populations, said Michael V. Vitiello, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and associate director of the University of Washingtons Northwest Geriatric Education Center.

　　Taking multiple medications, as many older people do, can also lead to fatigue and hypersomnia, or being tired all the time, Bloom added.

　　Another big problem, he noted, is depression and anxiety. Those are very commonly associated with sleep problems.

　　Despite the prevalence(流行)of sleep difficulties in older adults, many patients arent getting the help they need. As a result, problems like insomnia(失眠), restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea are under -diagnosed and undertreated. Bloom said.

【卫生类职称英语历年真题解析2008年A阅读判断】相关文章：

★ 职称英语a真题2005年卫生类：完形填空

★ 职称英语a真题2005年卫生类：概括大意与完成句子

★ 职称英语a级真题2006卫生类完形填空

★ 职称英语考试2007真题卫生A级：真题及答案汇总

★ 职称英语考试2007真题卫生A级：补全短文

★ 职称英语a级真题2006卫生类补全短文

★ 职称英语a真题2005年卫生类：阅读判断

★ 职称英语考试2007真题卫生A级：阅读判断

★ 职称英语考试2007真题卫生A级：概括大意与完成句子

★ 职称英语a真题2005年卫生类：补全短文