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Age-Related Sleep Decline

Meaning

Age-Related Sleep Decline denotes the progressive, physiologically driven alterations in sleep architecture and duration that occur naturally as an individual advances in chronological age. Clinically, this involves a reduction in total sleep time, decreased efficiency, and a notable decrease in the restorative slow-wave sleep and REM sleep stages. These shifts are often characterized by increased sleep fragmentation and earlier morning awakenings, fundamentally impacting overall health and daytime function. The decline is a common phenomenon distinct from primary sleep disorders, though it increases vulnerability to them.