Sundowners Syndrome in the Aged
According to SundownersFacts.com, Sundowners Syndrome is characterized by the intensification of symptoms exhibited during the evening and night hours by some Alzheimer's and dementia patients.
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Prevalence
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Sundowners symptoms are not exhibited by all Alzheimer's and dementia patients, though a National Institutes of Health study found 1 in 8 demented and non-demented nursing home residents to exhibit Sundowners symptoms.
Onset
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The Sundowners patient typically exhibits intensified symptoms of dementia after dark. Others show no signs of dementia until the sun goes down.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Theory
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Some researchers believe Sundowners is related to SAD, a condition believed to cause depression during winter due to shorter periods of daylight. SAD, however, affects patients of all ages.
Overwhelming Stimuli Theory
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Others believe Sundowners is a result of sensory input accumulated during the day reaching a point of sensory stimuli overload at night, causing stress and confusion in the patient. A related theory blames ordinary fatigue at the end of the day for Sundowners symptoms.
Hormonal and Vision Theories
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Some doctors see a link between Sundowners and hormonal imbalances occurring at night, while others believe the diminished ability to see at night is a contributing factor.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Derrick Tyson
