Drowsiness Health Article

Definition

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) suggests that you have 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

• Having to work long hours or different shifts (nights, weekends)
• Medications (tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antihistamines)
• Medical conditions (such as hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, and hyponatremia /hypernatremia)
• Not sleeping for long enough
• Sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea syndrome and narcolepsy)

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. DO NOT CHANGE MEDICATIONS WITHOUT FIRST TALKING TO YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

Your health care provider can treat hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, and hypo/hypernatremia.

For drowsiness due to narcolepsy, your doctor may prescribe stimulants (such as Ritalin).

For drowsiness due to other causes, seek medical help.

Call your health care provider if

Contact your health care provider if you think the cause of your drowsiness is from any of the above conditions.