What is Sleep Fatigue?
Waking up in the morning, do you feel exhausted, tired, and a little foggy despite a good night's sleep of seven to eight hours? You are not alone. Long commutes, late-night screen exposure, shift work, rising stress levels, and irregular schedules are quietly fueling sleep fatigue, leaving many drained throughout the day.
Why Are You Still Tired After Enough Sleep?
Experts say that quality matters more than quantity. This is why people feel sleepy despite sleeping for seven to eight hours. Dr. Prasanna Kumar, Head of Respiratory Medicine, explained: 'Seven to eight hours of sleep does not mean the body and brain have automatically achieved restorative sleep. This is called non-restorative sleep. Healthy sleep requires adequate duration, proper timing, uninterrupted architecture, attainment of deep REM stages, and stable breathing throughout the night.'
Short- and Long-Term Consequences
Lack of sleep has increased caffeine and nicotine dependency during the day and supplement use at night. While these are short-term solutions, the long-term effects can be fatal. Dr. Srinivas M, Consultant Neurologist, said: 'All supplements have a long-term effect on the brain, increasing amyloid waste, leading to neuronal death, memory impairment, early dementia, and a high incidence of stroke in young adults. They also affect the heart, causing arrhythmias, and increase the risk of early diabetes, hypertension, chronic insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, insulin resistance, and PCOS.'
Impact on Hormones and Inflammation
Sleep fatigue also affects hormonal health by increasing the stress hormone cortisol and inflammation. Dr. Sanjay Bhat, Senior Consultant in Interventional Cardiology, explained: 'The body produces more cortisol, a stress hormone that keeps the body in a constant state of alertness. High cortisol levels can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety. Poor sleep also triggers inflammation, which is the body's response to stress or damage. Over time, it makes it harder for the body to recover, repair cells, and maintain a healthy life.'