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Drowsiness - Overview

Alternative Names

Sleepiness - during the day; Hypersomnia; Somnolence

Definition of Drowsiness:

Drowsiness refers to feeling abnormally sleepy during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep in inappropriate situations or at inappropriate times.

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)

Reviewed last on: 6/1/2009
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.

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.

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