No more sleep: why you want to sleep all the time

Drowsiness and increased fatigue often accompany city dwellers. Due to the rapid pace of life and constant stress, some people suffer from insomnia at night and inexorably fall asleep during the day. What can cause constant sleepiness and how to fight it, says somnologist Olga Begasheva.

Sleep deficit

Observance of sleep is very important for health, given that the need for it is individual. The expert points out that for some people it is enough to sleep for 5-6 hours, while others need ten hours of sleep to regain their strength.

Sleep deficiency is probably the most common problem. This phenomenon is also called sleep phase shift. This disruption disrupts circadian rhythms and then triggers the release of cortisol, the stress hormone. Because of which a person can not sleep when they need to.

As a rule, cortisol is produced between five and seven in the morning. This is why a person feels alert and energetic. When the sleep phase shifts, the hormone is released much later. If at a young age this phenomenon is calmly tolerated, then in mature years can provoke somatic diseases. For example, arterial hypertension, obesity and diabetes mellitus.

Important! If sleep deficiency occurs on a regular basis, fatigue accumulates and, as a consequence, cognitive functions are impaired. Work capacity also falls.

Fatigue

Drowsiness and sleepiness can be reactions to overwork. After prolonged stress, the body wants to recover, and the most effective rest is sleep. In such a case, it is recommended to sleep more than usual to make up for the lack of daytime rest.

Poor quality of sleep

As the somnologist notes, sleepiness occurs not only because of a lack of sleep, but also because of its poor quality. This condition is called obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

With apnea, there can be temporary stops in breathing, which leads to a lack of blood supply and, consequently, fatigue and lethargy in the morning. During an apnea attack, the walls of the airways narrow and the oxygen supply to the lungs is cut off.

Important! If the degree of apnea is very severe, namely more than 15 stops of breathing lasting from 15 to 40 seconds with a drop in oxygen to a level of 70-80%, you should consult a specialist.

Restless legs syndrome

A condition in which a person can not lie still is called restless legs syndrome. Involuntary twitching is observed, causing discomfort. Such sensations are accompanied by the need to make some movement, usually with the legs.

The syndrome can occur in patients with diabetes mellitus with nerve tissue damage and in patients with iron deficiency. In the latter case, the synthesis of dopamine is disturbed, as a consequence, there is a feeling of anxiety. For an accurate diagnosis, it is worth consulting a specialist.

Stress

If everyday worries have left an imprint on mental health and do not allow you to sleep peacefully, the somnologist strongly recommends using the help of a specialist.

Important: If you are concerned about prolonged insomnia, shallow sleep or dissatisfaction with the quality of sleep, you should consult a doctor.

Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency can cause decreased concentration and disturbed sleep. In some cases, deficiency can lead to apnea and affect metabolism. In winter, the expert recommends taking vitamin D in capsules. And the correct dosage will be advised by a specialist.

Violation of circadian rhythms

With the arrival of spring sharply increases the length of daylight hours and reduces the production of melatonin – a hormone that controls sleep. It stops being produced precisely when exposed to daylight. As a consequence, immune disorders are activated.

Some people may become drowsy because of cloudy and rainy weather. Fluctuations in atmospheric pressure provoke a drop in blood pressure, because of which the person receives less oxygen and because of this wants to get to bed quickly.

Meteorological dependence is most clearly manifested in people with a congenital deficiency of the enzyme endothelial synthase, which is responsible for the synthesis of blood vessels. They experience vasospasm, frequent migraine-like headaches and drowsiness.

Alcoholism as a disease

Alcohol also has a negative impact on sleep duration. A somnologist does not recommend drinking alcoholic beverages after 18:00.

Once in the brain, alcohol activates the transmission of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which in turn depresses the central nervous system. The higher the blood alcohol level, the more it suppresses the effects of GABA. After drinking alcohol, sleep becomes shallow, anxious and intermittent, which means that the hormone melatonin cannot be actively produced.

The main recommendation of a somnologist is to follow a strict daily routine: get up and go to bed at the same time.