However, scientists think that is has something to do with metabolic and endocrine functions.

Fertility
Most people already know about the possible effects of sleep deprivation on fertility. But what about oversleeping?
One research analyzed the sleeping habits of 650 women before undergoing the IVF procedure or the in vitro fertilization. They found out that moderate sleepers have a higher pregnancy rate than those who slept for more than 10 hours each night.
Weight
Now, let’s discuss how too much sleep affects body weight.
While there’s no definite connection between weight gain and oversleeping, the results of one study show that people who sleep more are also more prone to obesity. This is in comparison with those who sleep between 7 to 9 hours per night.
One could assume that the reason behind it is the lack of exercise. After all, a person who sleeps more has less time to work out.
However, the study has also taken physical activity into account and the results didn’t change. Moreover, they also considered the participants’ food intake.
Possible Causes of Oversleeping
Often, we wake up when we’re already well-rested. Experts even say that if we stick to a certain schedule, we can wake up easily without the help of an alarm clock.
As mentioned earlier, if you regularly need more time to sleep than the benchmark 7 to 9 hours, there could be some problems.
Know that we know how too much sleep affects the body, what’s causing it?
- Hypersomnia. The condition which makes it hard for a person to stay awake, hypersomnia is the opposite of insomnia.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea. A person with obstructive sleep apnea or OSA could wake up dozens to hundreds of times a night. Each time they wake, they are struggling to breathe. What happens is that when they sleep, their throat muscles relax, collapsing the tissues and blocking the airway. On the other hand, OSA could also happen when the tongue falls back in the throat, blocking the airway.
- Bruxism. This is a condition wherein the person grinds their teeth during sleep.
- Restless leg syndrome. This brain disorder gives the person an overwhelming and sometimes uncomfortable urge to move their legs while they are resting.
It’s important to understand that how too much sleep affects the body also depends on the cause. If you experience any of the conditions above, don’t hesitate to seek medical help.
Comments
Share your thoughts
Be the first to let Hello Doctor know your thoughts!
Join Us or Log In to join the discussion