Drowsiness
Drowsiness refers to feeling abnormally sleepy during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep in inappropriate situations or at inappropriate times.
See also: Idiopathic hypersomnia
Alternative Names
Sleepiness - during the day; Hypersomnia; Somnolence
Considerations
Excessive daytime sleepiness (without a known cause) may be a sign of a significant sleep disorder. It is different from fatigue
.
Depression
, anxiety
, stress
, and boredom can all contribute to excessive sleepiness, but these conditions more typically cause fatigue and apathy
.
Common Causes
- Chronic pain
- Diabetes
- Having to work long hours or different shifts (nights, weekends)
- Medications (tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antihistamines)
- Hyponatremia
/hypernatremia
- Not sleeping for long enough
- Sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea
syndrome and narcolepsy
)
- Too much calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia
)
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism
)
Home Care
You can relieve drowsiness by treating the cause of the problem. First, determine whether your fatigue is due to depression, anxiety, boredom, or stress. If you are not sure, talk with your health care provider.
For drowsiness due to medications, talk to your health care provider about switching or stopping your medications. Never stop taking or change your medication without first talking to your health care provider.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
The doctor will examine you to determine the cause of your drowsiness and ask questions about your sleep patterns and health. Questions may include:
- How well do you sleep?
- How much do you sleep?
- Do you snore?
- Do you fall asleep during the day when do not plan to nap (such as when watching TV or reading)? If so, do you awake feeling refreshed? How often does this happen
- Are you depressed, anxious, stressed or bored
- What medications do you take?
- What have you done to try to relieve the drowsiness? How well did it work?
- What other symptoms do you have?
Tests that may be done include:
Treatment depends on the cause of your drowsiness.
References
Morgenthaler T, Kramer M, Alessi C, Friedman L, Boehlecke B, Brown T, et al. Practice parameters for the psychological and behavioral treatment of insomnia: an update. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine report. Sleep. 2006;29:1415-1419.
Schwartz JR, Roth T. Shift work sleep disorder: burden of illness and approaches to management. Drugs. 2006;66:2357-2370.
Updated: 6/28/2011
Jeffrey Heit, MD, Internist with special emphasis on preventive health, fitness, and nutrition, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.