What could be causing me to fall asleep at my desk, and how can I prevent it?

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.