repeated stopping and starting of breathing throughout the night, is a common cause of oversleeping.
Meanwhile, narcolepsy also disrupts sleep. People with narcolepsy may suddenly fall asleep without warning, and they may experience extreme daytime sleepiness and fragmented nighttime sleep.
If you think that you may have a sleep disorder, NIH experts recommend that you consult your healthcare provider and consider a sleep study. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine provides information on testing for sleep apnea.
Nutritional factors may also play a role in oversleeping. For example, recent research has linked low vitamin B levels with oversleeping. And substance abuse, whether it involves alcohol, tobacco or illicit drugs, is also linked with oversleeping, according to the NIH. People with obesity or other chronic health conditions may also experience oversleeping.
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Lastly, certain medications or withdrawal from a medication can cause oversleeping. According to Harvard Health, medications that can cause fatigue include allergy drugs, antidepressants, anxiety medications, blood pressure pills, muscle relaxants, opioids, seizure or epilepsy drugs, Parkinson’s drugs and cancer treatments.
Discuss any concerns with your health care provider if you think your prescription medications may be causing oversleeping, and do not take medications to help you stay awake without your health care provider’s approval.
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How to get better sleep
Revamping your sleeping routine may eliminate, or at least ease, oversleeping, as long as no underlying medical condition exists. In addition to improving sleep hygiene, consider improving your lifestyle choices in areas like physical activity, nutrition, stress management and social support.
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NIH experts recommend the following sleep hygiene tips for getting a better night’s sleep:
- Stick to a consistent sleep schedule
- Get some daily exercise
- Go outside for natural light exposure
- Avoid nicotine and caffeine at least eight hours before sleep, to reduce wakefulness
- Avoid naps after mid-afternoon, and when napping take naps of less than 1 hour
- Avoid large meals and alcohol right before bedtime
- Limit your use of electronic devices for 30 minutes before bedtime
- Avoid lying in bed awake. Get up if you fail to fall asleep within 20 minutes
If you make these efforts but still struggle to get a restful night’s sleep, see your healthcare provider to determine whether you may have an underlying medical condition or need better strategies to ease excess stress.
