Published on: 6/20/2025
What are the common causes of excessive daytime sleepiness?
Excessive daytime sleepiness is often caused by sleep disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia, or narcolepsy, and can also be due to insufficient sleep or certain medications.
Explanation
Excessive daytime sleepiness means feeling very sleepy during the day even if you think you slept enough at night. This can happen for different reasons.
Common Causes:
- Sleep Disorders:
- Sleep Apnea: This is when breathing stops for a short time during sleep, which can make you feel tired during the day.
- Insomnia: Trouble falling or staying asleep at night can lead to sleepiness during the day.
- Narcolepsy: A condition that makes people suddenly fall asleep during the day.
- Poor Sleep Habits:
- Not getting enough sleep because of staying up too late or waking up too early can make you sleepy during the day.
- Medications:
- Some medicines can make you feel sleepy as a side effect.
If you are feeling very sleepy during the day and it is affecting your life, it might be a good idea to talk to a doctor. They can help figure out what is causing it and how to help you feel better.
(References)
- Gandhi KD, Mansukhani MP, Silber MH, & Kolla BP. (2021). Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: A Clinical Review. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 33840518.
- Bittencourt LR, Silva RS, Santos RF, Pires ML, & Mello MT. (2005). [Excessive daytime sleepiness]. Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999), 16082450.
- Pagel JF. (2009). Excessive daytime sleepiness. American family physician, 19275068.
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