Recent research out of the United States has issued a new warning to individuals who often feel sleepy during the day.
Let’s be real—most of us have been there. And if anyone claims otherwise, they’re likely stretching the truth. Picture this: you finish lunch, and suddenly, you’re hit with that undeniable urge to rest your eyes for just a few minutes.
The yawns start creeping in, and a short nap sounds like the perfect fix. So, what do we usually do? We grab a cup of coffee or tea to push through the afternoon, then end up scrolling through our phones until 2 a.m. once we’re back home.
But here’s the thing: there may actually be more to feeling constantly tired and needing extra sleep during the day.
This isn’t just about feeling low-energy; it’s also about that lack of drive to complete daily tasks.
Published in the Neurology journal, the official publication of the American Academy of Neurology, a new study draws attention to these daytime sleepiness issues.
The study, released on Wednesday (6 November), suggests that people who regularly experience sleepiness during the day may be at a higher risk of developing a particular syndrome.
Victoire Leroy, MD, PhD, from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, noted: “Our findings emphasise the need for screening for sleep issues.”
“There’s potential that people could get help with their sleep issues and prevent cognitive decline later in life.”
This syndrome is considered a pre-dementia condition that could lead to significant health challenges down the road.
Individuals with the syndrome often show slower walking speeds and report experiencing mild memory issues, though they don’t have mobility disabilities or full-blown dementia.
Known as motoric cognitive risk syndrome, the condition can be a precursor to dementia.
The study revealed that people who experience excessive daytime sleepiness along with low motivation are more likely to develop this syndrome compared to those without these sleep issues.
It’s important to note that while the research found an association between sleep problems and the syndrome, it does not prove causation.
The study observed 445 participants with an average age of 76, none of whom had dementia. Each participant filled out sleep questionnaires at the start of the study. They also reported any memory concerns and had their walking speeds tested on a treadmill initially and then annually for an average of three years.
Questions in the sleep assessment asked about difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, and any disturbances such as waking up feeling too hot or cold. Participants also reported if they used medications to help them sleep.
To assess daytime sleepiness, participants were asked how often they struggled to stay awake while driving, eating, or engaging in social events. A question about enthusiasm gauged how much difficulty they had in maintaining enough motivation to complete daily activities.
Out of the participants, 177 met the criteria for poor sleep quality, while 268 were classified as good sleepers. At the start of the study, 42 participants had motoric cognitive risk syndrome, and during the study, 36 more developed the condition.
“More research needs to be done to look at the relationship between sleep issues and cognitive decline and the role played by motoric cognitive risk syndrome,” Leroy added, “We also need studies to explain the mechanisms that link these sleep disturbances to motoric cognitive risk syndrome and cognitive decline.”
