Q I'm in my 70s. Will Korean Medicine treatment for a sleep disorder be effective? I'm not sure whether less sleep with age is normal or an illness.
A Sleep structure changes with aging, but if your sleep is insufficient to the point of interfering with daytime functioning, it is a condition that warrants treatment. Even in older adults, Korean Medicine treatment can safely and effectively improve sleep quality.
Detailed Answer
It is a normal change for deep sleep (slow-wave sleep) to decrease and the number of awakenings to increase with aging. However, if this leads to severe daytime sleepiness, reduced concentration, or low mood, it is a sleep disorder that requires treatment. In older adults, zolpidem-type sleeping pills carry greater concerns about fall risk, cognitive decline, and dependence, so non-pharmacological and Korean Medicine treatments are preferred.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, we view sleep disorders in older adults as Heart-Spleen Yang Deficiency (simbi-yangheo)—in which Qi and Blood are insufficient to adequately nourish the Heart and brain—or as Non-interaction of Heart and Kidney (simsin-bulgyo) due to a decline in Kidney Essence (sinjeong). We use prescriptions that replenish Qi and Blood, such as Guibi-tang (Restore the Spleen decoction) or Cheonwangbosim-dan (Emperor of Heaven's Special Pill to Tonify the Heart). Our goal is to safely improve sleep quality without fall risk.
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