Scientists warn: This sleep duration increases risk of early death
Photo: how much sleep is considered harmful (Freepik)
Nighttime sleep affects health far more than it seems at first glance. Doctors warn that both lack and excess of sleep can lead to serious, sometimes life-threatening, consequences.
How much sleep is considered harmful is explained by a doctor on the popular Spanish radio program Hoy por Hoy.
Optimal sleep duration
Sleep expert Juan Antonio Madrid said the optimal sleep duration for most adults is between 6.5 and 8.5 hours per day.
Dangers of too little or too much sleep
The specialist emphasizes that sleeping less than six hours can already cause negative effects on the body in the medium term. At the same time, excessive sleep also carries risks.
“Few people know this, but overly long sleep is associated with various health conditions,” Madrid notes.
Studies show that sleeping 10–12 hours a day may be linked to an increased risk of early death, metabolic disorders, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
Sleep and dementia link
Data from the Framingham Heart Study indicate that longer sleep duration may be an early sign of dementia. People who slept more than nine hours per day had a higher risk of developing the condition.
Dr. Rosa Sancho from Alzheimer’s Research UK explains that changes in sleep patterns can appear long before the first symptoms of memory loss, which may help doctors identify risks at an early stage.
Quality matters as much as quantity
Experts stress that not only sleep duration but also sleep quality and regularity are important. Short micro-awakenings during the night can reduce the restorative effect of sleep, even if someone sleeps enough hours.
A consistent sleep schedule has a greater impact on longevity than the total number of hours spent in bed. Daytime naps cannot fully compensate for nighttime rest.
Earlier, we wrote about how much sleep helps you live longer.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
