Published on: 7/4/2025
What could be causing me to fall asleep at my desk, and how can I prevent it?
Falling asleep at your desk can be due to sleep habits or a medical condition (such as a sleep disorders). These symptoms might improve with better sleep habits, but consult a healthcare provider if symptoms do not improve.
Explanation
There are various possible reasons why you might be feeling sleepy at your desk. Sleep-related habits are a common reason for daytime sleepiness. For some people, a health condition (such as obstructive sleep apnea or depression) could be causing excessive daytime sleepiness. Certain medications can also cause sleepiness.
What You Can Do:
- Improve Sleep Habits: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Try to sleep at least 7 hours every day. Avoid caffeine and alcohol when it is close to bedtime. More tips for healthy sleep habits is available at https://sleepeducation.org/healthy-sleep/.
- Schedule An Appointment With A Healthcare Provider: If your symptoms do not get better after improving your sleep habits and/or if you think you have a medical condition that may be causing these symptoms, a healthcare provider can provide a personalized medical assessment and treatment plan for your symptoms. The healthcare provider can also determine if any medications might be affecting how sleepy you feel during the day.
(References)
- Verhoef VT, Smolders KC, Remmelswaal L, Peeters G, Overeem S, & de Kort YA. (2024). A Qualitative Study amongst Patients with Sleep Disorders. Clocks & Sleep, 10801535.
- Panossian LA, & Veasey SC. (2012). Daytime Sleepiness in Obesity: Mechanisms Beyond .... Sleep, 3321419.
- Mațotă AM, Bordeianu A, Severin E, & Jidovu A. (2023). Exploring the Literature on Narcolepsy. NeuroSci, 11523731.
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
For First Time Users
What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?
We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.
Learn more about diseases
Was this page helpful?
Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.