Oversleeping, also referred to as “long sleeping,” occurs when individuals consistently sleep for more than 10 hours a day. While the common focus is often on insufficient sleep, oversleeping can also present several health risks and might signal underlying health issues.
How Much Sleep Is Necessary?
The required amount of sleep varies depending on factors like age and lifestyle. Generally, adults need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, but individual needs can differ.
What triggers oversleeping?
Oversleeping can sometimes result from compensating for lost sleep, a phenomenon known as sleep debt. For instance, after a week of inadequate sleep due to late-night study sessions, you might sleep for extended hours over the weekend. However, persistent oversleeping might suggest a condition called hypersomnia, characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and prolonged nighttime sleep, sometimes up to 18 hours a day, multiple naps, and a lack of refreshment upon waking.
Sleep disorders contributing to oversleeping
Various sleep disorders can lead to extended sleep durations, including.
Idiopathic Hypersomnia: Excessive sleep without a clear cause.
Narcolepsy: A condition marked by sudden sleep attacks and overwhelming daytime drowsiness.
Medications and substances
Certain medications and substances can also cause excessive sleepiness. These include:
Sedatives
Psychotropic drugs
Hypertension medications
Symptoms of oversleeping
The symptoms can vary based on whether oversleeping is chronic or occasional and include:
Agitation
Irritability
Fatigue
Anxiety
Health complications from oversleeping
Short-term oversleeping, often due to sleep deprivation, can lead to temporary issues like anxiety, fogginess, and low energy levels. However, chronic oversleeping has been linked to several serious health risks, such as:
Obesity
Cardiovascular diseases
Stroke
Coronary heart disease
Diabetes
