Health
Daytime sleepiness is more related to lifestyle and emotions than lack of sleep at night. In a new study, researchers have found that obesity and depression are the main culprits for making you sleepy during the day.
Sometimes even coffee does not help get rid of daytime sleepiness. And while sleep deprivation and sleep apnea also play a role in sleep, emotional stress and excess weight are two of the main causes of naps.
The new study, led by Dr. Alexandros Vgontzas from Pennsylvania State University in the United States, involved 1,741 adults. Scientists have tried to find out what influences daytime sleepiness and fatigue over three studies. 222 adult participants experienced excessive daytime sleepiness, and the researchers conducted a follow-up survey seven and a half years later.
For those who remained drowsy during the second interview a few years later, the main reason was overweight. When these participants lost weight, they started to feel less tired during the day.
In an additional study, 1,741 adults who did not experience excessive daytime sleepiness at the start of the study later developed excessive sleepiness. Scientists later found that depression and obesity were the biggest risk factors in these cases.
The third study involved 103 overweight men and women. At the same time, those who slept longer at night also slept during the day. This contradicts the idea that daytime sleepiness is caused by lack of sleep at night.
Daytime sleepiness and lack of sleep not only lead to lethargy and fatigue all day long. They influence work performance and the risk of accidents. It also increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
Experts emphasize that losing weight can reduce the risk of both depression and sleep apnea, which is often associated with obesity. It will also add energy to you and relieve excessive sleepiness during the day.