Sleep Patterns and Skin Changes During Adulthood

Sleep Patterns and Skin Changes During Adulthood
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Explanation of Sleep Disturbance and Skin Changes in Older Adults
According to one estimate, approximately 50% of older adults face problematic sleep cycles, especially those living in clinical health settings (Hahn et al., 2014). The development of signs of deterioration on the skin is another major sign of aging, and older adults have to contend with the growing age. Since it is the body's largest organ, degenerative changes in the skin pose serious aesthetic and social problems, especially in older adults (Bonté et al., 2019). Older adults, especially those receiving clinical treatment for various healthcare issues, experience these changes the most as abnormal sleep patterns and skin damage significantly deteriorate their physical and psychological health and social life.
Factors Affecting Sleep Patterns and Skin Changes
Even though disturbance in the sleep cycle is a normal part of aging, several factors exacerbate this problem; for instance, sleep disturbance may result from a physiological or psychological condition, including dementia, chronic pain, cardiovascular issues, and depression (Crowley, 2011). Sometimes, a disturbed sleep pattern results from an age-related sleep disorder, such as Sleep Disordered Breathing and Periodic Limb Movements during Sleep (Crowley, 2011). Disturbed sleep patterns in adults have different manifestations, such as fragmented sleep, early awakening, and a noticeable decline in slow-wave sleep. Scientific studies have found that natural changes in circadian rhythm, as the natural factors that cause this problem (Crowley, 2011). For instance, an increase in a rapid increase in foot temperature in young adults is linked with the early onset of sleep, while a slow increase in foot temperature in older adults is linked with sleep disturbance (Raymann et al., 2007).
In comparison, skin changes in older adults are attributed to several intrinsic and extrinsic factors; greater exposure to ultraviolet radiation and pollution is an extrinsic factor that exacerbates the deterioration of the extra-cellular matrix of the dermis leading to damage and loosening of skin tissues (Bonté et al., 2019). Health complications such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are some intrinsic factors that contribute to the exacerbation of the skin, characterized by negative modification of the epidermis and dermal-epidermal junction (Bonté et al., 2019). However, the role of natural changes associated with aging is most significant in bringing about changes in the skin; these changes also depend upon an older adult's nutritional deficiency, genetic makeup, and hormonal imbalance. To illustrate, age-related decline in cellular activity also causes degeneration of skin cells; moreover, glycation and oxidative stress, as well as hormonal changes during menopause, also aggravate skin damage in elderly adults (Bonté et al., 2019).
Physical, Psychological, and Social Effects of Sleep Disturbance and Skin Changes
One of the most detrimental psychological effects of disturbance in sleep patterns is the decline in...