In the News: Daytime sleeping may not be normal
Who’s this for:
- for anybody worried about dementia.
- for anybody worried about Alzheimer’s.
- for anybody interested in better brain health.
What are some points I should focus on?
Even though daytime napping is perceived as somewhat common among older adults, this new study indicates that:
Longer and more frequent daytime naps were associated with higher risk of Alzheimer’s dementia. Interestingly, more excessive (longer or more frequent) daytime napping was correlated with worse cognition a year later, and conversely, worse cognition was correlated with more excessive naps a year later.
Peng Li, et al.
In plain English: if you’re an older adult, too much sleeping during the day can be an indicator of a higher risk for Alzheimer’s dementia.
Doctor’s Opinion
What should I do next?
First: understand that napping during the day is NOT ALWAYS a bad thing. The issue you’re going to keep in mind is: how much and for how long?
Second: you’ll need to rule out sleeping disorders: sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome. These conditions can really impact your quality of sleep, and may lead to daytime naps!
Third: Take this sleep quality test to see/assess your sleep apnea risk. Share the results with your doctor.
Content Reviewed by Dr. Puja