Sundowning Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

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Sundowning refers to a condition in which individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia become agitated, confused, forgetful, anxious or restless when the sun goes down.  It is estimated that nearly 20% of people with these conditions experience the effects of sundowning, which can also make it more difficult for these individuals to sleep and can increase the likelihood of wandering.

Some ways to diminish the sundowning symptoms  include increasing physical activity during the day, eating a healthier diet, creating a good sleeping environment, calmly reassuring affected individuals and looking into possible medical or physical problems or medications that are being taken.  Additionally, it has been shown that exposure during the day to bright light, such as natural sunlight, may reduce sundowning symptoms.

Traditional lighting for healthcare facilities and long term care facilities may not provide sufficient natural bright light for individuals with these conditions.

More information about the causes, symptoms and treatment for sundowning may be found below…

 

Sundowning Causes, Symptoms and Treatment 

Sundowning Causes, Symptoms, and TreatmentsSundowning, or sundown syndrome, affects some people who have Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. People with dementia who “sundown” get confused and agitated as the sun goes down and sometimes through the night. Sundowning may prevent people with dementia from sleeping well. It may also make them more likely to wander.  Due to the stress it puts on caregivers, sundowning is a common cause of caregiver burnout.

Sundowning Symptoms

Sundowning happens to nearly 20% of people who have Alzheimer’s disease or other kinds of dementia.

People who sundown may become more:

  • Forgetful
  • Confused
  • Delirious
  • Agitated
  • Anxious
  • Restless

 

People with sundowning often have trouble sleeping. They may:

  • Pace the floor
  • Wander
  • Yell
  • Become combative

 

Sundowning typically peaks during the middle stages of Alzheimer’s. It gets better as the disease progresses.

What Causes Sundowning?

The causes of sundowning are not well understood.

Some research suggests that sundowning may be related to changes to the brain’s circadian pacemaker. That’s a cluster of nerve cells that keeps the body on a 24-hour clock.

Studies in mice suggest that chemical changes in the brain that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease may play a role. Researchers found that older mice make more of an enzyme that’s associated with anxiety and agitation before they go to sleep than middle-aged mice do.

Several things may increase the risk for sundowning. These include:

  • Pain
  • Severe constipation
  • Poor nourishment
  • Being on too many medications
  • Infection
  • Noisy and disruptive sleeping environment

 

Sundowning Treatments

Include the following treatments for sundowning to make the symptoms less severe:

Activity. Being more active during the day may help Alzheimer’s patients sleep better at night. You can:

  • Discourage daytime naps.
  • Encourage exercise, like walking.
  • Encourage hobbies that get dementia patients up and moving.

Healthy diet. Caregivers should make sure Alzheimer’s patients eat properly:

  • Limit caffeine and sugar to the morning hours.
  • Plan an early dinner.
  • Keep snacks light before bedtime.

Medical advice. A doctor can look for physical problems like pain, infections, or bladder problems that may be contributing to nighttime confusion and agitation. They should also regularly review prescription medications to make sure they are still needed.

Light therapy. Exposure to bright lights, like the sun, during the day may reduce some sundowning symptoms, especially when used in combination with exercise, like walking.

Good sleeping environment. Allow the patient to change bedrooms or to sleep in a favorite chair or couch. Keeping the room partially lit may also help to reduce confusion when the person wakes during the night.

Calm reassurance. Gently help your loved one remember where he is and what time it is. Avoid arguing and offer reassurance that they are OK.

 

WebMD Medical Reference: Full article can be found here: http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/sundowning-causes-symptoms-treatments

SOURCES:
Alzheimer’s Association: “Sleeplessness and Sundowning.”
Bedrosian, T. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 27, 2011. Riemersma-van der Lek, R. The Journal of the American Medical Association, June 11, 2008. Scarmeas, N. Archives of Neurology, December 2007.
Blazer, D.G. and Steffans, D.C. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Geriatric Psychiatry, American Psychiatric Publishing, 2009.
Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD on June 26, 2013 © 2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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