The cause of sleepiness in the morning is not only due to lack of sleep. There are various things that can make the body still feel sleepy in the morning, even though you have slept all night. The cause could be due to sleep disorders, side effects of drugs, alcohol consumption, to certain diseases.
Drowsiness can cause decreased concentration, reduced alertness, and often makes us forgetful. Of course this will have an impact on activity and productivity at work or at school.
Causes of Sleepiness in the Morning
In order not to often feel sleepy in the morning, first know the various causes below:
1. Lack of sleep
One of the most common causes of sleepiness in the morning is due to lack of sleep. Lack of sleep due to doing tasks or just staying up late, causes a person to feel sleepy and tired throughout the day.
Therefore, the recommended sleep duration is very important. The recommended sleep time for adults is 7-9 hours per night.
2. The body's natural sleep cycle
In one day, there are two periods when the body will naturally feel sleepy, namely late at night (usually between midnight to 7 am) and midday (around 13.00-16.00).
If you are awake (not sleeping) during these hours, the risk of drowsiness during activities the next morning will increase, especially if you don't get enough sleep.
3. Dehydration
The cause of sleepiness in the morning could be because the body is dehydrated, aka lack of body fluid intake. Dehydration can reduce blood flow to the brain, making it easier for the body to feel sleepy.
In addition, dehydration can cause dry mouth and respiratory tract and leg cramps during sleep. As a result, the quality of your sleep is disturbed.
4. Drug side effects
Taking certain drugs can also cause sleepiness in the morning. Some drugs that have a side effect of drowsiness are antipsychotics, antidepressant drugs, antihistamines, blood pressure lowering drugs, heart medications, thyroid medication, and asthma medications.
5. Caffeine
Caffeine in coffee, tea, soft drinks, or drugs does have a variety of health benefits. But if taken before bed, the alertness-boosting effect of caffeine can interfere with the quality of your sleep.
The reason is, caffeine continues to work in the body for up to about 6 hours after you consume it.
6. Alcohol
Consuming alcoholic beverages, even in small amounts, can alter sleep duration and overall sleep quality. In certain amounts, alcohol consumed at night before going to bed can cause drowsiness later in the day.
Not only that, alcohol can even make a person difficult to concentrate and nauseous, especially if consumed in large quantities.
7. Sleep disturbance
Sleepiness in the morning can also be due to sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnea (interference with breathing during sleep), narcolepsy, hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness in the morning or during the day despite getting enough sleep at night), or restless leg syndrome. To confirm the diagnosis of one of these conditions, it is necessary to see a doctor directly.
8. Suffering from certain diseases
Certain diseases can reduce the quality of sleep until it finally makes you sleepy in the morning and tired or weak all day. These diseases include:
- Anemia
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Thyroid disorders
- Diabetes
- Kidney illness
- Heart failure
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Stomach acid disease
- Eating disorders
9. Psychological problems
Psychological disorders such as severe stress, anxiety disorders, and depression can be the cause of sleepiness in the morning. These psychological problems can drain energy and affect daily life. In addition, stress, anxiety disorders, and depression can also make sufferers experience insomnia, so they tend to be sleepy in the morning.
After knowing some of the causes of sleepiness in the morning, now you can stay away from them. You can also try to apply ways to eliminate sleepiness so that your activities run more smoothly.
Sleepiness in the morning that occurs occasionally can actually still be considered normal. However, if you complain of sleepiness in the morning very often, even to the point of interfering with your activities and quality of life, then you should immediately consult a doctor for these complaints. This is important so that the doctor can deal with complaints of sleepiness in the morning that you feel appropriately.