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sleep disorders

I've noticed that while driving with my brother-in-law, he jerks the steering wheel from time to time and seems to tire. He can be sitting in a chair and suddenly doze off for a short time. He also does not sleep well at night and probably sleeps only four to five hours every night. He is now 70 years old. Could the short, light sleeping at nightime be contributing to a form of narcelepsy? I'm concerned about him falling asleep at the wheel for a longer period of what I think now is 2 to 3 seconds at a time.  Is there medication for this condition?
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488264 tn?1226520307
I'm sorry but I have to disagree and tell you that you DO need to worry.  If your brother-in-law is falling asleep for seconds at a time whilst driving you don't need any medical qualifications to work out just how dangerous this is.  Please, for the sake of his own life, his passengers, and other road users, do tell him to stop driving whilst he is experiencing these symptoms.  
Any change in sleeping patterns, at any age, needs to be evaluated medically, as this may indicate more serious organic changes in the body.  It is not possible to attribute this to his age without a medical evaluation first.  There are many causes of poor night time sleep, and daytime sleepiness.  Please advise him to see his doctor - this may not necessarily be a neurological illness, so don't jump to conclusions too quickly with a diagnosis.  But please, please, please, get him to stop driving.  If he loves the independance of his car then this should be motivation enough to get treatment.  
I really would like you to post back and reassure us that he has stopped driving.  I wish him well and he is lucky to have you caring for his wellbeing.
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Avatar universal
Hello Dear,
Such symptoms are common at elderly age and need not worry.You can consult  a neurologist and evaluate the cause if the symptoms worsen.
Best
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