Sleepiness Caused By Sleep Deprivation
Lack of sleep is widely considered to be the most common cause of excessive sleepiness Trusted SourceNational Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Sleep deprivation may be short-term or chronic and can itself be caused by numerous sleep disorders and other medical conditions Trusted SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians The AAFP aims to improve the health of patients, families, and communities by serving the needs of members with professionalism and creativity.aafp.org:
- Pain: Virtually any ailment that induces pain, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, or herniated disks, can complicate sleep and make a person prone to drowsiness Trusted SourceMSD ManualsFirst published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers.msdmanuals.com during the day.
What Narcolepsy Looks Like
According to Hershner and Berkowski, the sleep disorder can present differently:
Type 1 is a condition where the bodys immune system attacks cells that produce hypocretin, acertain chemical in the brain that regulates sleep and wakefulness. Without it, you have irregular sleep cycles and can rapidly fall asleep without warning.
A unique feature of this narcolepsy type is cataplexy, which is sudden onset of muscle weakness in response to strong emotion, like laughter.
Cataplexy can cause the head to bob or legs to give out while the patient is awake. Some people arent even aware they experience it, Berkowski says. The muscles begin to go into a state of sleep similar to when were in rapid eye movement sleep, when the muscles are paralyzed.
And people with both type 1 and type 2 experience fragments of dreams that come into consciousness while transitioning in and out of sleep.
Someone might think they see a spider on the wall, or a person in the room. It lasts one to two minutes, Hershner says. Similar to cataplexy, some people have sleep paralysis at the same time and cant move.
Recent research suggests a chemical in the brain calledgamma-aminobutyric acid, which makes people sleepy, could be dysfunctional in those with idiopathic hypersomnia, Berkowski says.
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis
Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine which of the questionnaire scores were the best determinants of the ESS score, after adjusting for demographics . The regression model showed that about 48% of the response variance was significantly associated with the following determinants: SPS and HADS-A .
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How Can I Find Out Why I Am Always Sleepy
First, keep track of how much sleep you are getting. Adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night, and teenagers need 8 to 10. If you are getting less sleep than you need, your daytime sleepiness may simply be due to insufficient sleep. If so, you can try revising your sleep schedule and practicing good sleep hygiene to get more sleep. If you are getting the required amount of sleep but are still sleepy, you should discuss your sleepiness with your health care provider. Your doctor can review your medical history and may order tests to determine what is causing you to feel so drowsy.
Do Wake Up Pills And Supplements Have Any Effect
There are some over the counter caffeine pills intended to help you wake up, and, at 200 mg, they often contain as much or more caffeine than a cup of coffee. Although some of these pills may provide an energy boost, they can also have negative side effects such as jitteriness, headaches, and increased heart rate. Excessive caffeine can also impact your circadian rhythm, making sleeping at night more difficult. Also, as a person becomes dependent on caffeine, it can be less effective at providing alertness.
Sometimes people opt for herbal supplements in hopes of obtaining better sleep. Common choices include chamomile, lavender, and kava. However, little research has been conducted on these supplements and there is little evidence to suggest their positive impact on sleep.
For instance, chamomile does not appear to help people with insomnia sleep better but may help improve the quality of sleep for people without insomnia. Kava can be used to treat anxiety, but theres not enough research yet on its effect on sleep. Kava usage may add to a risk of liver injury.
Overall, it is better to focus on sleep quality and quantity whenever possible rather than relying on pills and supplements. A daily routine and good sleep hygiene will be most helpful and least likely to produce negative effects in the long-term.
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What Happens At Your Appointment
To find out why you’re sleeping excessively, a GP might:
- ask you about possible causes of your sleepiness, such mental or physical health problems, or any medicines you may be taking
- suggest you keep a diary of when you sleep
- refer you to a doctor who specialises in sleep disorders
Treatment for excessive sleepiness will depend on what’s causing it. It may include medicine to help keep you awake.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
Though you are probably unaware of it, you may be involuntarily moving your legs during the night as you sleep. The movement may be significant enough to wake you. The interruptions in sleep may or may not wake you, but either way are significant enough to cause havoc in your sleep cycle. People with PLMD often complain of feeling unrested and of daytime sleepiness.
The cause of PLMD is unknown, but may be related to anemia, central nervous system problems or may be genetic. Good sleep hygiene habits will help relief PLMD. If you are not relieved despite having good sleep hygiene, a consultation with your health care provider is necessary.
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Treating Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
The treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness depends on its underlying cause. For instance, if someone is sleepy because they are not getting enough sleep, their treatment might involve counseling to help them improve their sleep hygiene and create a sleep schedule.
However, if daytime sleepiness is due to a sleep disorder, treatment generally targets that disorder. Examples might include using a CPAP for sleep apnea or taking iron supplements or other medication for restless legs syndrome.
If a doctor determines that a medication is behind the sleepiness, they may recommend changing the medication or the time of day it is takenfor instance, at bedtime rather than during the day.
Sometimes the symptom of excessive sleepiness itself can be treated with medication. For example, people with narcolepsy might be treated with stimulants or drugs that promote wakefulness.
Description Of The Natural History Of Eds
The Cronbachs coefficient alpha for the 8 items of ESS scale was around 0.800.81 at baseline and at each year-follow-up. The inter-rater agreement measures between two assessment points were good ranging from 0.64 95% CI= to 0.79 95% CI=.
At baseline, 32.9% of participants reported EDS , of whom 25.4% were severely sleepy . During the follow-up visits, prevalences of EDS were slightly lower ranging from 28.7 to 26.4% . However, trajectories of EDS vary considerably with approximately 8% of new cases each year, between 8 and 13% of remitted cases since the previous year and approximately 19% of recurrent cases since the previous year . Regarding the persistence of EDS during the follow-up, 32.6% reported a persistent EDS at baseline and at all 5 subsequent assessments, 25 developed EDS after 1-year of follow-up with a persistence at all subsequent assessments, 14 after two years, 13 after three years and 11 after four years.
Figure 2
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Causes Of Excessive Sleepiness
There are many possible causes of excessive daytime sleepiness. One of the most common reasons is a chronic lack of sleep Trusted SourceNational Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, whether due to long work hours, an irregular schedule, insomnia Trusted SourceMedline PlusMedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.medlineplus.gov, or other reasons.
Excessive sleepiness can also be caused by getting fragmented or otherwise poor-quality sleep. Getting up multiple times a night to use the washroom Trusted SourceNational Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, for example, disrupts the natural progression of the sleep stages and may reduce the proportion of restorative slow-wave sleep. Smoking, not exercising enough, and other lifestyle habits Trusted SourceNational Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov may also interfere with sleep quality and cause daytime sleepiness.
How Tired Is Too Tired
Excessive sleepiness and sleep deprivation can have significant impacts on your health. They increase the risk of falling asleep while driving, increase chronic pain, throw off hormonal balance, and lead to weight gain. Quality of life can be significantly compromised by poor sleep. Symptoms of being sleep deprived can include:
- Desire to rest or sleep
- General weakness
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What Is Excessive Sleepiness
Excessive sleepiness is often diagnosed in association with other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea , narcolepsy, and even shift work sleep disorder. It is marked by feeling sleepy, drowsy, or groggy during the daytime. If you have excessive sleepiness, you may find it hard to stay alert at work or you may start drifting off at inappropriate times, even when you dont mean to. You may also feel irritable or anxious. Excessive sleepiness is not just feeling tired. Its not the same as fatigue, which is characterized by a lack of energy and a need to rest . Its also different from depression, in which you may lose interest in normal activities that you used to enjoy.
You Feel Totally Exhausted
If you feel a bit sleepy during the day, that might just be fatigue because EDS is about more than just sleepiness, it’s about feeling totally wiped out. “EDS is more like exhaustion,” Brantner says. “It’s a deep sleepiness and lack of energy that simply doesn’t go away, even after a full night of sleep. EDS often signifies an underlying sleep disorder. For example, you may be suffering from sleep apnea, which doesn’t allow you to get a full night’s rest, even though you think you’re sleeping through the night.”
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What Is Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Sleepiness Vs Fatigue
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Sleep has a huge impact on our everyday lives. Yet, our State of Sleep in America study found that 1 in 3 adults describe their sleep the previous night as fair or poor.
Poor sleep or lack of sleep can make you feel drowsy and miserable during the day. However, the problem can be even worse for those with excessive daytime sleepiness.
If you suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness or daytime fatigue, tiredness and lack of energy during work, school, or other activities it can seriously affect your day-to-day life.
In this article, well explain the difference between daytime fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness, as well as the symptoms and causes of both. Well also share tips on getting better sleep and when to see a sleep specialist for help.
Why Am I Sleepy Even Though I Got Eight Hours Of Sleep Last Night
There may be several reasons. First, your sleep quality may have been poor. Poor-quality sleep is marked by frequent awakenings, which you may not be aware of. These awakenings can be caused by a sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. It may also be due to a health condition or its treatment. Narcolepsy, mental health disorders, certain medications, and chronic health conditions can all make you feel sleepy during the day despite adequate nighttime sleep.
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When To Talk To Your Doctor
You should see a doctor if youâre feeling tired all the time, if excessive daytime sleepiness is affecting your day-to-day life, or if you believe it might be a sign of an underlying disorder.
Your doctor will run tests and ask questions about your sleep habits to attempt to pinpoint the reason for your sleepiness. They may also ask your bed partner whether you gasp, snore, or move your legs during the night. If they suspect a sleep disorder, they may refer you to a sleep specialist to run more tests.
Treatment methods for daytime sleepiness depend on the cause. The doctor will likely start by recommending sleep hygiene tips and encourage you to get more sleep. They may adjust the medications you take, and they will also work with you to develop a treatment plan for underlying disorders, which need to be treated in their own right.
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Psychological Causes Of Tiredness
Psychological tiredness is much more common than tiredness caused by a physical problem. Both anxiety and depression can make you feel very tired. Eating disorders can make you feel tired, particularly if you are underweight or overweight. Any cause of a sleep problem will also cause tiredness during the day.
Stress is a common cause of tiredness, either because it interferes with sleep, or because of the effect of having a worry on your mind all the time.
Other possible causes include:
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It’s A More Intense Sleepiness
Although it may be difficult to tell the difference if you’ve never experienced EDS, EDS comes with a more intense sleepiness than just being fatigued does. “In my opinion, EDS is a more intense and constant sleepiness,” Dr. Breus says. If you’ve experienced both, you’ll probably be able to tell the difference.
The Secondary Benefits Of Treating Sleepiness Or Fatigue
Treating other health conditions that can cause EDS or fatigue can deliver the wonderful secondary benefit of improving your overall health and symptom load.
For instance, people who treat their OSA find that they have more energy, are more clear-headed, experience less pain, and find it easier to maintain a stable mood this is because OSA also causes systemic inflammation , cognitive problems, hypersensitivity to pain, and mood dysfunction.
If you have EDS or fatigue and are newly diagnosed with MSor youve had MS for a while but are experiencing new or different symptomsits important to investigate them to determine if theyre actually related to your condition or if they may require separate diagnosis and treatment.
Note: If you are middle aged or older, the aging process alone may lead to the development of other conditions. Arthritis, for instance, can lead to both depression and fatigue, and sleep apnea is a common cause among older people with EDS.
Do yourself a favor and look into your symptoms, rather than chalk it up to aging or assume its just the monster at work. Theres no reason you need to suffer more just because you have MS!
And finally, make sleep a priority. The National Sleep Foundation says:
Getting a good night’s sleep helps to alleviate many common symptoms of MS, including chronic fatigue, mood and memory problems.
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Excessive Daytime Sleepiness In Children And Adolescents
EDS can be harder to identify in children, as it can look different from how it appears in adults. Older children may start taking naps again, and younger children may start taking longer naps or extending their nighttime sleep.
Also, children may not use the words sleepy or sleepiness when describing their EDS. Its important for healthcare professionals to differentiate sleepiness from fatigue, tiredness, or lack of energy when screening for narcolepsy.
Pediatric narcolepsy patients often show symptoms associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder . EDS may appear as hyperactivity, problems paying attention, emotional instability, aggression, irritability, or bad behavior, which can lead to aof ADHD or other psychiatric disorder.
Finally, EDS in young children may be mistaken as a normal need for a nap. In older children, it might be mistaken for laziness or lack of motivation.
Is your child sleeping too much?
Signs Of Excessive Sleepiness
People with excessive daytime sleepiness tend to fall asleep in situations when others would normally be awake. They can nod off when they dont want to, including at times that may be dangerous. People with EDS may doze off:
- In a public place, such as a meeting or classroom
- While talking to someone
- While watching a theatrical performance
People with excessive daytime sleepiness may nap repeatedly during the day. Oftentimes their daytime naps are not refreshing.
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Fast Fix For Mild Fatigue
If you have mild fatigue that isnt linked to any medical condition, the solution may be exercise. Research suggests healthy but tired adults can get a significant energy boost from a modest workout program. In one study, participants rode a stationary bike for 20 minutes at a mild pace. Doing this just three times a week was enough to fight fatigue.
