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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Irregular Sleep Pattern Cause Health Issues In An Elderly Person?

My friend says it is not healthy to sleep only 5 hrs per night. I am 68, on no routine medications, no BP or heart problems, exercise 2-3 x wk and am very active. I stay awake till about 12 midnight, read for an hour, then sleep until around 6. If weather is hot I may take an afternoon nap 1/2-1 hr. I m active in volunteer work and still work parttime (retired biologist) Should I be concerned about not sleeping 8-9 hrs per night. This sleep pattern has been going on for 30+ years.
Thu, 24 May 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Its true that most people would advise having a sound sleep for 8 to 9 yeats, and this is has very logical base, we personally recommend people the same as good sleep is very necessary fro both mental and physical health , however the rule is not universal , most of the times sleep can affect badly if its lost i mean to say if some one had initially normal sleep and for some reasons sleep is disturbed , like if over weekended, or or he cant sleep due to stress , than this can surely be bad for health and we advise such people to improve sleep. Your case is different, I say again that normal of about 8 hours is good but the rule is not universal , and no man is like other ,so if otherwise good , my personal suggestion would be if you could improve your sleep ,bu even if you don't this is not necessarily to harm you if you are relax even with this 6 hours sleep.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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Does Irregular Sleep Pattern Cause Health Issues In An Elderly Person?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Its true that most people would advise having a sound sleep for 8 to 9 yeats, and this is has very logical base, we personally recommend people the same as good sleep is very necessary fro both mental and physical health , however the rule is not universal , most of the times sleep can affect badly if its lost i mean to say if some one had initially normal sleep and for some reasons sleep is disturbed , like if over weekended, or or he cant sleep due to stress , than this can surely be bad for health and we advise such people to improve sleep. Your case is different, I say again that normal of about 8 hours is good but the rule is not universal , and no man is like other ,so if otherwise good , my personal suggestion would be if you could improve your sleep ,bu even if you don t this is not necessarily to harm you if you are relax even with this 6 hours sleep. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.