DEAR DR. GOTT: You recently responded to a letter from a wife who was concerned her 72-year-old husband was sleeping excessively.
Bless his heart! He’s working 40 hours a week, and comes home to a nag who can’t understand why he’s tired. If taking naps is ruining a 50-year marriage, let her go! He may just perk up when her negativity walks out the door.
DEAR READER: I disagree with you. Sleepiness can be a symptom of depression, anemia, and a host of medical conditions that should be addressed. Perhaps the husband needs a sleep study to determine if his sleep pattern is disrupted several times a night. In my opinion, he should also have an exam by his primary care physician. If everything is normal, he may need counseling, but I don’t believe that breaking up a marriage is going to solve his wife’s anger and bring everything back to normal.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Sleep Wake Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, 4 ¼” X 9 ½” letter-sized stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
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