HomeAnswersInternal Medicinesleep disorderIs sleeping after midnight bad for your health?

I am worried that when I sleep, something fatal can happen to me. Will it?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Chithranjali Ravichandran

Published At September 24, 2021
Reviewed AtSeptember 24, 2021

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have been sleeping late, around 2:30 to 3:30 AM, and sometimes even 4:00 AM every day for several months. I am thin, have no blood pressure problem, and I am currently taking Levothyroxine 150 mg. I have turned into an owl. I am worried that when I sleep, something fatal can happen to me. Can something happen to me? Can I take Benadryl 25 mg to sleep? I have sneezed three times today. I feed my birds late, around 12:30 AM to 1:30 AM. Before that, I finish cleaning the house. I clean it five days a week. I have nasty habits.

Kindly help.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Some people have the habit of late-night sleep because of work or assignments they have to complete. The common causes of late-night sleep include too much daytime sleep, consuming coffee before bedtime, watching television or some excitement or stimulation, depression or anxiety, etc. Do not worry that something fatal will happen if you sleep today. It is just an illusion.

Kindly answer the following to guide you properly;

1) Are you having depression or facing any obsession or compulsion behavior that hinders your daily schedules?

2) Do you have an obsession or compulsion of cleaning, and if not done, then feel anxious?

3)Do you find it difficult to initiate sleep?

Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I am obsessed with getting on the internet and watching television. I am depressed because of certain issues, and also feeding my pets takes me a while. I am cent percent obsessed with cleaning the house five to six days per week. Most of the time, it is every day. I worry my husband will yell at me if he sees it dirty.

Kindly help.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Sorry to hear that you are having these problems.

Now you could see the cause of late-night sleep: the internet and watching television and some depression. You have to modify your behavior pattern of undoing these activities before bedtime. Altering sleep patterns is one of the causes of chronic health issues. So you have to eliminate the above cause and try to get hygiene sleep like you can listen entirely, relaxing music that promotes sleep, mindful awareness of the activities, etc.

Have you ever asked him that this much cleanliness is needed or whether he will yell at you if there is some dirty? It is just your worry that drives you to do an act.

Do you have a compulsion to act when obsessive thought comes, which helps reduce your stress?

Since how many days are you having these symptoms, which is interfering with your daily schedules?

Reply to above to guide further.

Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

If I go to sleep by 4 am or for more weeks between 12 am and 4 am, can I have heart problems? How long does it take for people in their 40's to get the issue of sleeping late?

Thanks.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I hope you are doing good.

Sleep is essential for our health in numerous ways. Not getting enough sleep can lead to long term health consequences like

1) Hypertension and cardiovascular disorders.

2) Metabolic syndrome like obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, etc.

3) Stroke.

4) Easily getting sick due to low immunity.

5) Depression, etc.

The essential factor is to get sleep according to the natural circadian rhythm with adequate duration and quality of sleep.

Circadian rhythm is the brain's natural clock. Our brain adapts to the routine we follow as a pattern for sleep. Naturally, most people feel sleepy around 10 pm and waking up early in the morning.

This is the best routine for sleep hygiene. However, it may be off-balance due to irregular work shifts, which results in poor sleep quality.

Quantifying the amount of trouble with your sleep behavior is tough to say. If you are sleeping late and very regularly in that sleep pattern timing and getting enough sleep every day, it might cause less risk than disturbed sleep behavior and inadequate sleep duration. Still, again, rest should be regular at a particular time every day and average duration and thus decreases risk.

If possible, try to synchronize with the natural internal circadian rhythm.

Also, abnormal sleep behavior is not the only risk factor for the above health conditions. Still, many other factors also play a role in developing the above health issues like our lifestyle, eating pattern, food quality, exercise, genetics, environmental interactions, etc.

I would always suggest adding physical exercise to your routine along with other lifestyle modifications.

Do you feel sleepy during your day-to-day work?

Do you have any chronic health conditions?

Does your habit of obsession and depression has decreased now?

Reply to the above questions if you find it necessary.

Thanks.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Basuki Nath Bhagat
Dr. Basuki Nath Bhagat

Family Physician

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