Chronic Sleep Deprivation in a 75-year-old Female Leading to Increased Falls and a Daytime Microsleeps

Division

Mid America

Hospital

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

7-21-2021

Keywords

obstructive sleep apnea, sleep deprivation

Disciplines

Internal Medicine | Sleep Medicine

Abstract

Falls in the elderly is an ongoing problem and is one of the leading causes for trips to the emergency room, hospitalizations, serious injuries, and expensive health care costs. However, many times the relationship between sleep quality and falls oftentimes is overlooked. Here we present a case of a 75-year-old female admitted for sustaining 4-5 falls per day for many years that was ultimately found to be due to chronic sleep deprivation. She was treated with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) for her complex sleep apnea and hypercarbia. Subsequent follow-up revealed significant decrease in her number of daily falls down to <1 per day. This case further adds to the data showing a link between treating sleep apnea in the elderly and a reduction in falls.

Publisher or Conference

Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy

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