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Is Oversleeping Bad For Your Health?

oversleeping

Many people nowadays complain about not getting enough sleep and suffer from episodes of insomnia. Like you already know, good, sound sleep is vital for the proper functioning of the body. Several studies suggest that this is the time when the body heals and restores itself. Thus, getting inadequate sleep hampers the normal functioning of the body.

While most doctors and studies focus on the repercussions of lack of sleep, several people suffer from oversleeping problems. As the name suggests, oversleeping is a condition wherein a person tends to sleep too much, much more than needed. Now, is oversleeping bad? Oversleeping also comes with its own set of harmful effects and should be dealt with and not ignored. In fact, oversleeping is now considered a serious medical condition and needs proper treatment to cure it.

What is Oversleeping?

Every healthy adult ideally needs approximately 8 hours of sleep. However, sleep experts and researchers opine that anything between 7-9 hours of sleep is perfect for a person’s general physical and mental well-being. For many people, 6-7 hours of sleep suffices, provided they can slip into a deep sleep during that period. A good 7 hours of sleep betters mental health and also improves longevity.

Again, some people might sleep for 8-9 hours and still feel sleepy after waking up. This means they do not enjoy restful sleep despite staying in bed for longer hours. In many people, oversleeping is an indication and a symptom of a health disorder. It is recommended to consult a sleep specialist if something seems amiss.

Reasons for Oversleeping: Understanding Oversleeping Causes in Detail

Oversleeping, also known as ‘long sleeping,’ is referred to as hypersomnia in medical terms. People with hypersomnia or oversleeping problems might need almost 10-12 hours of sleep every night to feel refreshed and rejuvenated the following day. For many people, even 15 hours of sleep may seem inadequate. Here are a few major causes of hypersomnia and reasons for oversleeping in general: 

  • Depression and high-stress levels

When a person is highly stressed or depressed, they feel exhausted and fatigued to such an extent that it seems difficult to even wake up from bed. They might also feel too lethargic and disinterested in general.

  • Substance abuse 

There are some prescription drugs, as well as alcohol, which cause oversleeping in some individuals. If a prescription drug makes you feel fatigued and possibly leads to oversleeping, you must consult a physician immediately.

  • Excessive fatigue 

Overexertion leads to hypersomnia and is one of the oversleeping causes. This is because overexertion leads to fatigue, and the body demands more sleep to recuperate from it successfully. Not getting enough proper sleep might leave you feeling exhausted physically and mentally.

  • Sleep apnea 

This is a very serious and debilitating breathing disorder in which a person might stop breathing from time to time throughout the night. The sleep cycle gets disrupted as a result, and the individual ends up spending all night tossing and turning in bed and waking up tired as a result. To compensate for the lost sleep, people with sleep apnea sleep longer during the day, leading to oversleeping. Unlike most other sleep disorders, sleep apnea may need medical intervention.

  • Poor sleeping schedule 

A poor sleep schedule is one reason for oversleeping. There is an internal biological clock that your body follows. Sleeping and getting up at definite times are part of that schedule. People who follow the schedule closely get a good night’s sleep and wake up feeling refreshed in the morning. However, with a poor sleeping schedule, one might suffer from insomnia or hypersomnia.

  • Thyroid and heart diseases 

Medical conditions like heart and thyroid diseases also cause oversleeping problems in some people. It is recommended to take proper medications for the problem and follow instructions and restrictions that the specialist doctor prescribes to avoid excessive sleep issues.

Oversleeping Symptoms to Watch Out For? 

There are some very clear oversleeping symptoms and warning signs. Some of them include the following:

  • Sleeping too much for long hours on a regular basis – The most prominent symptom.
  • Lingering headache – Is oversleeping bad? People who oversleep regularly generally have a mild lingering headache the next day.
  • Mild depression – Mild depression is a prominent oversleeping symptom. This is a double-edged sword in the sense that while oversleeping might cause mild depression, depression might also cause oversleeping in many people.
  • Fatigue – Having a sense of fatigue and exhaustion throughout the day is one of the major disadvantages of oversleeping. A sense of dullness and listlessness prevails with oversleeping.
  • Lack of concentration – Oversleeping leads to a lack of attention. This also stands true for lack of sleep. Both insomnia and hypersomnia cause a lack of focus and concentration.

In order to effectively overcome oversleeping, it’s essential that you monitor your sleeping pattern. One great way to do that is by maintaining a sleep diary to track your hours and sleep quality.

Disadvantages of Oversleeping: Some Side Effects of Oversleeping That Can Impact Your Health

  • Heart disease 

Like heart disease is a cause of oversleeping, the reverse is also true. 38-40% of people who oversleep have a higher risk of contracting coronary heart disease over time.

  • Weight gain and obesity

When you oversleep, it is obvious that the body is at rest for much longer periods than it actually needs. The energy which is gained is not utilized by the body for doing various kinds of activities. This energy gets reserved as fat, leading to weight gain and, in turn, obesity. The fat does not get a chance to be expended with oversleeping.

  • Back pain

This is quite sad to know that oversleeping can lead to back pain, and severe ones at that. Generally, people who suffer from back pain are asked to be mobile and move around as much as possible. Hence, a general solution to this type of oversleeping side effects is to get up from the bed, get active and try opting for the best mattresses for back pain that help in sleeping comfortably.

  • Headaches 

Headaches are quite common in people who have too much sleep. This happens because REM sleep has effects on the neurotransmitters in the brain. REM state sets in towards the last phase of sleep – before waking up, to be precise. The longer you sleep, the longer your REM sleep time. On the other hand, dehydration also contributes to headaches.

  • Diabetes 

One prominent oversleeping side-effect is diabetes. 50% of people who have been tested for oversleeping were found to be diabetic. In fact, the chances of getting diabetes increase in people who oversleep.

Now, is oversleeping bad? Oversleeping is a serious medical condition that needs to be treated. Do not neglect the various oversleeping symptoms, causes, and sleep problems; it is recommended to get proper treatment at the earliest, and while you do, any consequences of oversleeping, such as fatigue, body aches, and soreness can be managed using an orthopedic memory-foam mattress that will cushion you while you work to get your sleep on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the best remedy for an oversleeping headache?

Avoid stress, drink enough water to stay hydrated, use a cold or hot compress to reduce tension, and stretch your head and neck muscles to relieve tension.

  1. How can I get rid of oversleeping?

Create a proper sleep schedule and stick to it, create proper eating and exercise habits, make a good bedroom environment, and put blue screens away a few hours before sleep.

  1. Is oversleeping a risk to a person’s mental health?

Oversleeping can cause disorientation and grogginess. Over time, it can cause low energy, mood swings, and depression.

  1.  What are some side effects of oversleeping on one’s health?

Oversleeping can cause chronic health issues like heart problems, type 2 diabetes, headaches, depression, and obesity.

  1.  How do we resolve our sleep problems?

Eating right, staying active during the day, sticking to a proper sleep schedule, exercising during the day, limiting naps, and avoiding heavy meals at night. 

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