I Get Plenty of Sleep at Night. Why Do I Still Need Naps?

If you often feel sluggish or require a daily nap even after a full night of sleep, you may have sleep apnea or another underlying sleep disorder. An untreated sleep disorder can also cause complications that go far beyond persistent tiredness.

At Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep, we specialize in diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders contributing to excessive daytime sleepiness.

Our sleep specialists, Ashok Tyagi, DO, CPE, and Himanshu Chandarana, MD, offer at-home and in-office sleep testing to identify what keeps you awake at night. 

We also provide personalized treatment plans to support high-quality sleep so you can go about your day without needing a nap.

The link between sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness

Sleep apnea is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by frequent pauses in breathing during sleep. The two primary types of sleep apnea are:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when tissues at the back of the throat relax during sleep and block the airways.

This blockage prevents oxygen from flowing in and out of the body, causing you to wake up throughout the night, gasping for breath. People with obstructive sleep apnea also snore loudly while asleep.

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea results from dysfunction in the brain signals that control the breathing muscles.

Due to the frequent waking and gasping for breath during the night, people with sleep apnea often experience excessive daytime sleepiness. They may need one or more naps to get through the day.

Occasional naps can boost alertness and improve mood. However, frequent napping can interfere with the body’s natural circadian rhythm, increasing drowsiness during the day.

Addressing the root cause of daytime sleepiness

If your frequent drowsiness during daytime hours relates to sleep apnea, our experienced sleep specialists can design a treatment plan to support better quality sleep.

Initially, we might recommend lifestyle changes focused on your sleep habits to manage mild sleep apnea symptoms. 

Changes might include quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol before bed, and unplugging from electronics at least an hour before bedtime. Daily exercise can also make it easier to fall asleep at night on a regular schedule.

If you snore loudly or frequently wake up gasping for air, you might be a candidate for a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This device provides supplemental oxygen through a face mask you wear while sleeping. 

A CPAP machine improves sleep and minimizes snoring, so you and your loved ones can sleep through the night.

Our physicians can also provide guidance if your sleep disturbances stem from underlying medical conditions or certain medications. We monitor your energy levels and sleep quality at follow-up visits to ensure you feel your best.

Call Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep in St. Petersburg, Florida, today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for daytime sleepiness.