If we could only sleep and wake up two days after, the world would be a happier place. After a tiring day at school or work, what people need is a good night’s rest. Nothing is more comfortable than snuggling up in bed and getting that much-needed shut-eye. We have been reminded time and time again about the dangers and health risks of not getting the right amount of sleep. Sleep deprivation is a serious matter. You cannot function well if you are low on sleep. But looking on the other end of the spectrum, would you believe that getting too much sleep can also pose some health risks? Yes, that is true. More sleep does not really equate to better body function and overall health.
Experts have been studying sleep and it is actually a large and growing field of research. Sleep is our body’s way of repair and restoration time which is why getting too little of it is not enough. But getting too much also has some negative effects on our body. There are some findings that getting too much sleep directly influences specific risk factors and sometimes even a symptom of certain medical conditions.
First, to determine whether you are oversleeping or not, we must determine what is the standard number of hours needed for sleep. For so long now, we have been informed that the best number of hours of sleep is 8 hours. But researchers have been lenient and broaden the spectrum a bit. The suggested number of hours is now 7-9 hours, just a little adjustment of plus-minus 1 hour. This suggestion is best for adults aged 18 to 64 years.
Why do people oversleep in the first place? Well, because sleeping just feels so good! Usually on the weekends when there is no school or work, people just stay in bed for hours. But there are some cases where people oversleep because of a medical condition. Hypersomnia is a medical sleeping disorder that causes people to be very sleepy throughout the day. There is also a disorder called obstructive sleep apnea which causes people to momentarily stop breathing during sleep. This causes them to have an increased need for sleep. Oversleeping can also be caused by being under the influence of something. Alcohol or some prescription medications can also cause people to oversleep.
Some of the medical problems that are linked to oversleeping are as follows.
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Depression
- Heart Disease
If you have issues regarding your sleeping schedule, it is best that you seek the advice of a medical expert to find solutions as soon as possible.
