Having a good night’s sleep is very necessary for overall health but oversleeping can cause several health issues including diabetes, heart disease and increased risk of death. Normally the amount of sleep depends on your age and your lifestyle and your sleep needs may differ from time to time due to illness or overexertion. Usually for any healthy person needs eight to nine hours of sleep every day. However, some tend to sleep more than the body needs and that can cause side effects of oversleeping.
Health issues linked to oversleeping
Headaches
Some people tend to sleep longer than usual on their weekends or vacation that causes headaches. Too much sleep during the day disrupts nighttime sleep and may experience headaches after waking up in the morning.
Back pain
Along with headache, you can experience back pain due to oversleeping. Many medical practitioners recommend active lifestyle and are against oversleeping.
Depression
More than 15 percent of people sleep too much during the depression and in turn, the symptoms of depression can become worse. To recover from depression, one need to follow regular sleep schedule.
Obesity
Oversleeping can be another cause for obesity. People who sleep more than nine or ten hours every day are more likely to become obese.
Why are you sleeping too much?
Some people with sleeping disorder may tend to sleep more than usual. People with hypersomnia suffer from extreme sleepiness throughout the day. They tend to sleep more than 16-18 hours of the day and still feel constant need to sleep and are often lethargic. They experience symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, weak memory and anxiety.
Obstructive sleep apnea a sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing interrupts several times during the sleep and next morning he/she doesn’t feel fresh and feel need for sleep. Due to the frequent interruption during sleep leave you drowsy, lethargic and less productive throughout the day.
Of course, not everyone who sleeps excessively has a sleep disorder; however, if you constantly in need of sleep and feel tired, you need to see a doctor.
If your oversleeping is a result of sleep disorder, your physician may prescribe you nootropic drugs such as Provigil. Provigil prevents excessive sleepiness in individuals caused by obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy. This nootropic stimulates wakefulness and alertness in individuals and increases concentration, focus and energy. One can work without feeling drowsy and under the impact of Provigil one can experience momentous cognitive sharpness.
If your oversleeping is caused by certain medications, then cutting back on those medications may help you. However, you should not discontinue prescribed medications without consulting your doctor.
Regardless the cause of your oversleeping, practicing good sleep schedule will help you to regularize your natural sleeping pattern. Going to bed and waking up around the same time every day is recommended. Keeping the bedroom temperature comfortable and avoiding intake of caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime can give you good night’s sleep.
Good sleep will help you to reap the health benefits!