“Daytime napping becomes a potential red flag when there is a change from baseline or a clear shift in pattern.
In the context of this study, longer, more frequent naps and especially a tendency to nap in the morning may reflect underlying physiological stress rather than normal ageing.
From a GP perspective, this should prompt consideration of contributing factors such as sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative processes, depression, medication effects, chronic pain, anaemia or occult malignancy.
A key clinical red flag is progressive daytime sleepiness that is new, escalating or accompanied by reduced alertness, cognitive change or functional decline. In these cases, napping is less a habit and more a symptom.”
