Do you feel extra sleepy during the day, is it a sign of a disease?

Excessive daytime sleepiness or excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is not just fatigue. It is a condition where it becomes difficult to keep your eyes open even during normal waking hours.

It is normal to feel tired due to a busy life, work pressure, or not getting enough sleep at night. However, excessive daytime sleepiness or excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is not just fatigue. It is a condition where it becomes difficult to keep your eyes open even during normal waking hours. Such sleepiness often indicates an underlying physical or mental problem.

Excessive daytime sleepiness: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is part of a sleep disorder called hypersomnia. With hypersomnia, someone may experience excessive daytime sleepiness only, while in some cases, long sleepiness at night may also be seen. However, having EDS does not mean that you will sleep for long periods of time at night.

In many cases, EDS is not a separate disease, but a symptom of a health problem. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Possible causes of EDS: Doctors have mentioned several causes of EDS. These are:

1. Central Disorders of Hypersomnia: This type of problem occurs when abnormalities occur in the part of the brain that controls sleep. These include—

Narcolepsy Type-1
Narcolepsy Type-2
Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Kline-Levin Syndrome
These diseases can cause both sleep disturbances and excessive sleep at night.

2. Sleep Deficiency: It is very normal to feel abnormally sleepy during the day if you do not get enough sleep. If you sleep less for a long time, the body's normal functioning also decreases.

3. Sleep Apnea: In this problem, breathing stops repeatedly during sleep.
As a result—

Sleep is disrupted,

Sleep is not deep,

And the next day, extreme fatigue occurs.
Even after treatment, EDS can persist for several months in some people.
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4. Neurological problems: Some brain or nerve diseases directly affect sleep. For example—

Brain tumor or injury

Parkinson's disease

Multiple sclerosis

Alzheimer's
These problems can disrupt sleep at night and cause excessive sleepiness during the day.

Depression can be both excessive sleepiness and sleepiness. Research says that more than half of people suffering from major depression experience disturbed sleep.
Depression can be both excessive sleepiness and sleepiness. Research says that more than half of people suffering from major depression experience disturbed sleep.

5. Restless leg syndrome: Discomfort in the legs and an irresistible urge to move disrupt sleep at night. This results in daytime sleepiness.

6. Depression: Depression can cause both excessive sleepiness and reduced sleepiness. Research says that more than half of people with major depression experience excessive sleepiness.

7. Chronic fatigue syndrome: It involves excessive fatigue, which does not decrease even with rest. Along with this, various sleep problems are seen, which increase daytime sleepiness.

8. Anemia: When there is anemia in the body, less oxygen reaches it, resulting in fatigue and sleepiness. Again, anemia is also associated with insomnia, which can increase excessive sleepiness or EDS.

EDS due to medications: Some medications can directly increase sleepiness. These include antidepressants, antihistamines, anti-anxiety, antipsychotics, prescription painkillers, and epilepsy control medications. In this case, it is important to consult a doctor.

Daily lifestyle: Sleep environment, routines and habits can also increase daytime sleepiness. For example—

Irregular sleep schedule

Noise, light or uncomfortable sleeping environment

Physically inactive lifestyle

Shift work

Drugs or alcohol

Stress

Dehydration

Unhealthy diet

How to control excessive sleepiness: Treating the underlying cause is most important. In addition, some lifestyle changes can help—

Follow a regular sleep-wake routine

Keep the bedroom cool, dark and quiet

Avoid caffeine at night

Take short 20-minute naps during the day

Reduce foods that increase blood sugar

Try to be in bright light during the day

Do not take sleep-inducing medications without a doctor's advice

Practice being mentally calm before going to bed at night
Excessive daytime sleepiness or EDS is not just fatigue. It is often a sign of a physical or mental health problem. If you frequently feel sleepy during the day or have difficulty staying awake, take it seriously. A doctor's consultation and necessary tests can help determine the root cause, and proper treatment can help resolve the problem.

Source: Healthline