HomeAnswersSleep MedicineweaknessI feel fatigued easily after a long night's sleep. What should I do?

Why do I get fatigued easily even after seven to eight hours of sleep at night?

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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

iCliniq medical review team

Published At March 13, 2022
Reviewed AtJanuary 31, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have a health concern that is related to sleep medicine. For the last three years, I have had a sleep pattern that is characterized by seven to eight hours of continuous rest during the night. But, during the day from morning till lunch, fatigue starts to build-up to a point where I have to go to bed and sleep deeply for two to three hours. I wake up feeling more fresh, awake, and attentive again. With a smartwatch, I have monitored my sleep pattern and have found that the portion of deep sleep is below 20 percent I have also read that nap in the afternoon encompasses a portion of deep sleep. Is there anything wrong with my sleep? What can be improved in my sleep and resting pattern? How will I achieve a larger portion of the deep phase during the night? Is the sleep pattern good enough, what could be improved so that I would not feel so exhausted the next afternoon?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I advise you to get yourself examined by a doctor for thyroid hormone-related issues, as it is one of the most common causes of sleep pattern disturbances. I also advise you to exercise that will help you to have good endorphins in your brain and keep you awake during the afternoon. Your weight seems to be alright as per your height. Other sleep-related issues like obstructive sleep disorders are unlikely. The other reason could be atypical depression which may also lead to these kinds of issues.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply,

I am a 58-year-old male. My height is 5 feet 2 inches and weight is optimum. Do my symptoms fall under a category of dysthymia or atypical depression? If so, can this be positively approached, and altered to a better mood status? Which thyroid hormones would I need to screen, is TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) a key variable to look at? I have recently started to go for indoor biking in the morning, would it help to trigger the neurotransmitters, endorphins, you mentioned for a person of my age?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Dysthymia is a separate diagnosis, but, yes, dysthymia can be atypical in nature: hence, can be called atypical depression. For screening purposes, you can go ahead with serum TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) level. Going for indoor biking will help to trigger endorphins. You may try to reduce one kilogram in order to be more fit.

Regards.

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

Dr. Vandana Patidar
Dr. Vandana Patidar

Psychiatry

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