Why are we sleepy while awake?
According to recent studies, obesity and depression make us excessively sleepy while awake.
Researchers examined a random population sample of 1,741 adults and found out that obesity and emotional stress are the main causes of sleepiness and fatigue. Insufficient sleep and obstructive sleep apnea are also connected with high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, depression, diabetes, obesity and accidents.
222 adults reporting excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) were followed up 7½ years later. For those whose EDS persisted, weight gain was the strongest predicting factor. In people who lost weight, excessive sleepiness improved.
‘The 'epidemic' of sleepiness parallels an 'epidemic' of obesity and psychosocial stress. Weight loss, depression and sleep disorders should be our priorities in terms of preventing the medical complications and public safety hazards associated with this excessive sleepiness,’ - said Alexandros Vgontzas, MD, the principal investigator for the three studies.
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