Is Oversleeping OK?
Everyone likes to have a lazy morning once in a while. It’s nice to turn off the alarm and grab an extra hour or two of sleep sometimes. The occasional desire to sleep longer in the morning is not a problem. It becomes a problem, though, when oversleeping starts to be the norm rather than the exception. Chronic oversleeping not only has the potential to disrupt your life, but it could also be a symptom of a sleep disorder. Continue reading to learn more.
Why Do We Oversleep?
Oversleeping is the body’s way of saying you aren’t sleeping enough. The cause may be evident if you had a later night than usual or you’ve been ill. However, when you oversleep regularly and there is no apparent explanation, you may have an underlying issue, like sleep apnea.
Why Sleep Apnea Causes Oversleeping
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you know that getting good quality sleep is a struggle unless you are using an oral appliance or CPAP. When sleep quality suffers, your body naturally wants to compensate by sleeping longer. For anyone who has not already been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, constant oversleeping is a sign to seek medical advice. If you are oversleeping even though you are being treated for sleep apnea, we encourage you to call us so we can ensure that your treatment is still meeting your needs.
How Oversleeping Affects Your Body
Most adults require 7-9 hours of sleep nightly for optimal health. There are consequences to getting more than that, just as there are to getting less. For instance, you may find it harder to shake out the cobwebs when you oversleep. That’s because oversleeping disrupts your body’s circadian rhythm, your internal biological clock. However, the important thing to consider is why you might be oversleeping. Besides sleep apnea, other health problems can disrupt your sleep and cause you to have trouble waking up on time in the mornings, including:
- Type II diabetes – a chronic illness affecting blood sugar levels
- Cardiovascular disease – any disease affecting the heart and blood vessels
- Bruxism – grinding and clenching your teeth at night,
- Restless leg syndrome – the overwhelming urge to move your legs when you’re resting,
- TMD – a jaw joint disorder that causes muscle tension, headaches, neck pain, and other symptoms.
How to Prevent Oversleeping
Because consistency is key, we recommend that our patients strive to get a good night’s sleep every night. Going to bed at a time that allows you to get approximately 8 hours of sleep will help accomplish this. Here are some other things you can do to ensure that you get good rest and avoid oversleeping:
- Turn off all screens (computer, television, phone, tablet) at least one hour before going to bed.
- Limit coffee and caffeinated beverages during the day and avoid them entirely at least 6 hours before bedtime.
- Take medications as directed and talk to your doctor about any side effects that could affect your sleep.
- Use your mouthguard, oral appliance, or CPAP faithfully as directed to keep from grinding your teeth and prevent sleep apnea episodes.
If you are currently being treated for sleep apnea and you have trouble with oversleeping, we encourage you to contact the Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions location nearest you — Silverdale, Lynwood, Federal Way, or Bellevue, WA — so we can evaluate your current treatment solution to make sure it is meeting your needs. We also encourage you to contact us if your partner or someone you care about is exhibiting signs of sleep apnea, including oversleeping. We are here to help!
