: How many hours a night of sleep should I be getting?

Dr. OkunJoined: 19 Jan 2007Posts: 251Location: University of Florida
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:07 pm Post subject: How many hours a night of sleep should I be getting?

There is no correct answer to this question. Most experts believe that as you age you will require less sleep. In general 6-8 hours of restful sleep is a good rule of thumb. Parkinson’s disease patients need to be careful as sleep disorders are common, and the presence of a sleep disorder may erode quality sleep, and lead to excessive daytime somnolence. If patients are arising the next day and feel tired or fatigued, there should be a low threshold for obtaining a sleep study. Sleep disorders are commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease. Restless legs syndrome, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep behavioral disorder (acting out your dreams), and obstructive sleep apnea (not breathing during brief periods in the night causing subclinical awakenings referred to as hyponeas) are all disorders that when treated can improve the sleep quality, as well as the quality of awake time the next day._________________Michael S. Okun, M.D.