With age, sleep is fragmented naturally.
According to the National Sleep and Vigilance Institute (INSV), 3 in 4 French people wake up at least once every night. Sleep doctors keep repeating it: sleep is not a linear and uninterrupted process. In most cases, waking up at night is not worrying. However, the frequency and duration of these awakenings vary considerably depending on age and can be indicators of sleep quality. What is the normal number of alarm clock per night?
According to the INSV, from adolescence up to 30 years, sleep is rather consolidated and stable: we consider that between 0 and 1 conscious awakening (where we are fully awake, which we remember the next day) is completely normal. Between 30 and 60 years, sleep is a little more disturbed and it is common to have 1 or 2 short alarm clocks per night, often to go to the toilet, or following a noise. If these alarm clocks are short (5 to 10 minutes max) and that we go back to it easily, they are generally not considered problematic.
“”With age, sleep is fragmented naturally. The elderly spend less time in deep sleep and their sleep cycles are shorter. Alarm clocks are therefore more frequent and longer. These alarm clocks must be played down and not systematically consider them as insomnia“, says Dr. Joëlle Adrien, neurobiologist and director of research at the INSV, in his book” sleeping better every night, being in shape every day “(ed. Larousse). At 60, it is therefore not uncommon to wake up 2 to 4 times per night, because of physiological needs (desires to pee, thirst), pain or certain medical conditions (back pain …). Beyond Reverse, it is better to consult your doctor.
The number of alarm clocks is not the only indicator. You have to worry and talk to a doctor if: awakenings are prolonged, there is difficulty falling back after alarm clock, awakenings are accompanied by symptoms (strong snoring, respiratory stops suggesting sleep apnea) or if the quality of life during the day is affected (excessive fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, difficulties in concentration).
