Getting enough sleep is essential – especially when work and family life are tiring you out. But could you be sleeping too much? Do others often nag you to get up, or do you feel like you are missing out on life?
The answer to whether sleeping too much is bad for your health may surprise you because too much sleep itself is not usually the problem. Rather, it may indicate a physical or mental health problem that needs to be addressed. It could also mean you are not getting enough quality sleep.
If you don’t wake up refreshed, you probably are not getting enough quality sleep, despite the hours you’re putting in. There are a number of reasons why this may be.
Sleep Disorders
There are a number of sleep disorders that could be causing you to spend more time sleeping and still not feeling rested, including:
- Sleep apnea, in which an airway obstruction prevents your brain and other body parts from getting enough oxygen during sleep
- Circadian rhythm disturbances, in which your day-night cycle is interrupted due to such things as shift work or jet lag
- Restless leg syndrome, which causes an uncomfortable sensation in your legs that causes you to involuntarily move them while resting or sleeping
Medical Conditions
Certain chronic medical conditions may prevent you from being able to fall asleep and stay asleep. Here are a few of the many health issues than can interfere with getting adequate sleep:
- Diabetes, which can lead to a sleep-altering imbalance in blood sugar levels as well as poor circulation and a number of other health concerns
- Heart failure, which can lead to breathlessness at night
- Uncontrolled asthma causes wheezing and trouble breathing, making sleep difficult
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) also can make it difficult to get enough air while sleeping
- Fibromyalgia, which causes entire body aches and pains, and can get worse at night
- Hyperthyroidism, which throws your body out of hormonal balance, leading to a number of problems such as a racing heartbeat and sleeplessness
Mental Health Concerns
Mental health problems are notorious for causing sleep problems. Some of these include:
- Anxiety of all kinds, including generalized anxiety disorder, which causes unrelenting dread and trouble sleeping
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, which can lead to nightmares and interrupted sleep
- ADHD, which can lead to delayed bedtimes and later wake times, among other problems
- Depression, which makes it hard to leave the bed, yet hard to sleep, too
If you have been diagnosed with any of these issues, make sure to talk with your doctor about your sleep schedule because you may need a change in medication or treatment.
A lack of refreshing sleep can leave you constantly exhausted regardless of how long you stay in bed, and can further hurt your physical and mental health. It’s essential to seek the help of trained professionals to pinpoint the exact cause behind your sleep problems. Often, there are ways you can improve the quality of your sleep. Understanding the cause of your problem and your treatment options are important first steps.
The entire staff at SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation, LLC is trained to help with your health concerns. If you have any questions about sleep schedules or problems that interfere with your ability to get a good night’s sleep, please consider engaging our medical services, by calling our office at (803) 749-1111 to schedule an appointment, or use our secure online appointment request form.
