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Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

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Last updated July 13, 2023

Excessive daytime sleepiness quiz

Take a quiz to find out what's causing your excessive daytime sleepiness.

Excessive daytime sleepiness is when you have trouble staying awake during the day, and typically lasts for weeks to months. It’s caused by sleep deprivation, sleep apnea, and certain medications.

Excessive daytime sleepiness quiz

Take a quiz to find out what's causing your excessive daytime sleepiness.

Take excessive daytime sleepiness quiz

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What is excessive daytime sleepiness?

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is when it’s difficult to stay awake or alert during the day, or when you have a strong desire to sleep during the day. It’s not just feeling tired after a bad night’s sleep. People with EDS deal with these symptoms every day for weeks or months. About 20% of the population experience EDS, according to a study published in American Family Physician.

Some of the most common causes of EDS are sleep deprivation, obstructive sleep apnea, drug or alcohol use, and certain medications. In some cases, the cause of EDS is unknown (called idiopathic hypersomnia).

What excess daytime sleepiness feels like

How tired you are each day can vary. Not getting enough sleep can make you feel tired and less motivated and energized.

In severe cases, you may be so exhausted that you fall asleep while doing everyday tasks. When EDS is that bad, it can be dangerous as you could fall asleep while driving or operating machinery. It’s possible to have EDS even if you think you’re getting a decent night’s sleep.

Symptoms you may have with EDS include:

The sleepiness quiz

Doctors recommend the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to see if you have EDS and how severe it is. You rank your likelihood of falling asleep during 8 common scenarios—like watching TV, talking to someone, riding as a passenger in a car. Your score is tallied and rated. For example, 5 means you have a “lower normal daytime sleepiness,” while a score of 24 is considered “severe excessive daytime sleepiness.”

Pro Tip

There are many health benefits from sleep, including increased productivity, improved memory, and a better mood. It also decreases the risk of heart disease, prevents weight gain, and improves the immune system. —Dr. Chandra Manuelpillai

Common causes

1 . Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, causes you to have apneas (absences of breathing) and/or decreased breathing rate while sleeping. Your oxygen level drops and you may wake up multiple times during the night.

OSA is from a blockage that prevents air from entering your upper airway. It’s most commonly caused by excess tissue around and in the neck, throat, and airway. Being overweight or obese increases your chance of having this excess tissue.

Very common: OES is most likely to affect adults 30–60 years old, occurring in 9% of women and 24% of men in that age group. People with obesity and the elderly are more likely to have OSA [Source: American Family Physician].

Symptoms you may have:

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Excessive snoring
  • Waking up often during sleep
  • Unable to pay attention during the day

Treatment and urgency: The majority of people with OSA are undiagnosed. If you have EDS and snore, tell your doctor as soon as possible. If left untreated, OSA can lead to serious health issues, including diabetes, stroke, and heart attacks. Treatment includes:

  • Mouthpieces and devices that help open your airway while you sleep, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine
  • Surgery

2. Sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation occurs when you don’t get enough quality sleep. You may not be giving yourself enough time to sleep. Or you may have a condition such as insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep), narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. Some mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, can also prevent you from getting enough quality sleep.

Very common: This is the most common cause of EDS.

Symptoms you may have:

  • Daytime hyperarousal (when sleep deprivation is caused by chronic insomnia)
  • Mood and behavior changes (short temper, anxiety)
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Problems planning, organization, and judgment

Treatment and urgency: Sleep deprivation is not an emergency, but some causes should be identified and treated as soon as possible. Treatment depends on the cause. For example, if bipolar disorder is causing insomnia, your doctor will recommend mood-stabilizing medications or antipsychotics. If you have insomnia, you may have to change your bedtime routine and other daily habits, like limiting screen time at night or avoiding caffeine.

3. Depression

Depression causes overwhelming feelings of sadness, loss of self-worth, decreased interest in activities you once enjoyed, and thoughts of hopelessness.

Very common: Depression affects 1 in 15 adults annually. It occurs 1 in 6 people at some point throughout their life [Source: JAMA Psychiatry].

Symptoms you may have: 

  • Isolating yourself from others
  • Poor energy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Low self-worth or self-esteem
  • Engaging in purposeless activities

Treatment and urgency: See a doctor or mental health provider if you have symptoms of depression, particularly if it's severe. Get help immediately if you have thoughts of suicide. Treatment includes:

  • Talk therapy to help identify the underlying causes of your depression and how to work through it
  • Antidepressant medications such as Lexapro or Prozac
  • Treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy or ketamine infusions (usually only recommended when other therapies have failed)

4. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is often diagnosed in childhood. There are two main types of ADHD: inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive.

People with inattentive ADHD tend to have difficulties engaging and finishing tasks, following instructions, and completing conversations. Those with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD tend to have excessive energy, interrupt others, and speak at inappropriate times. Some people have symptoms of both types.

Common: ADHD affects an estimated 9–10% of children in the U.S. [Source: CDC].

Symptoms you may have:

  • Excessive daydreaming
  • Fidgeting
  • Forgetfulness
  • Difficulty interacting with others
  • Excessive talking

Treatment and urgency: See your doctor if you have symptoms of ADHD. Treatment includes:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help you better understand your illness and learn how to control your behaviors
  • Medications that help with symptoms, like Vyvanse or Adderall

Dr. Rx

Give yourself enough time to fall asleep prior to the time you ideally want to be asleep. The ideal environment is quiet and dark without surrounding stimulation. Avoid stimulating foods and drinks and stimulating activities before bed. —Dr. Manuelpillai

5. Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes episodes of overwhelming sleepiness (“sleep attacks”) throughout the day. It affects the brain’s ability to control sleep-wake cycles.

There are two types of narcolepsy. People with type 1 experience cataplexy (episodes of muscle weakness triggered by emotions). They also have low levels of a brain hormone called hypocretin, which helps regulate states of sleep and awakening. Type 1 may be an autoimmune disorder. Type 2 is less understood and usually doesn’t cause cataplexy or low levels of hypocretin.

Relatively rare: Type 1 is more common than type 2.

Symptoms you may have:

  • Cataplexy (type 1)
  • Disrupted nighttime sleep
  • Sleep paralysis
  • Sleep-related hallucinations

Treatment and urgency: See your doctor right away if you have symptoms of narcolepsy. Sleep attacks can occur in dangerous situations, like while you’re driving. Treatment includes:

  • Practicing good sleep hygiene, which includes avoiding stimulating tasks before bed, sleeping in a dark room without your phone or other devices, and trying not to stay up late.
  • Medications that help keep you awake, such as modafinil and methylphenidate.

6. Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome causes excessive fatigue that’s not helped by sleeping. It makes it hard to do everyday activities.

The fatigue tends to worsen after physical or mental activity. The cause is unknown, but possible triggers include viral infections, hormonal imbalances, and physical or emotional trauma.

Uncommon: Chronic fatigue syndrome affects about 836,000 to 2.5 million people in the U.S. [Source: CDC].

Symptoms you may have: 

  • Memory problems
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty standing or sitting for a period of time (orthostatic intolerance), which can worsen symptoms
  • Digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome
  • Muscle aches and pains

Treatment and urgency: There is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome. It is treated by managing the symptoms. For example, if you have muscle aches or pains, over-the-counter pain relievers may be recommended. If you develop depression, cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressants may help control your symptoms.

7. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes muscle pain throughout the body. It’s believed to be caused by pain signals not being processed in the right way. Certain conditions can increase your risk of fibromyalgia, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Common: Fibromyalgia affects about 4 million U.S. adults [Source: CDC].

Symptoms you may have:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Fatigue
  • Pain and stiffness
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Memory problems
  • Headaches

Treatment and urgency: See your doctor if you have symptoms of fibromyalgia. Treatment includes:

  • Cognitive behavior therapy to treat underlying depression
  • Regular exercise
  • Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Prescription medications such as opioids and gabapentin
  • Good sleep hygiene

8. Restless leg syndrome

Restless leg syndrome, or RLS, causes an irresistible urge to move your legs. It’s worse in the evening and while you’re resting. It can interfere with your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Moving the legs temporarily relieves discomfort, but it eventually comes back and the cycle continues. Most people with RLS also have periodic limb movement disorder (PLMS), which causes involuntary movement or jerking of the legs and arms during sleep.

It’s not clear what causes RLS, but it may be an imbalance of a brain chemical called dopamine, which helps control movement. Low iron levels may also contribute to it.

Relatively common: RLS affects 7–10% of the U.S. population [Source: National Institutes of Health].

Symptoms you may have:

  • Aching
  • Throbbing
  • Itching or crawling

Treatment and urgency: See your doctor or a neurologist if you have symptoms of RLS. Treatments include:

  • Iron supplements, if RLS is caused by an iron deficiency
  • Medications that increase the effect of dopamine, such as gabapentin
  • Sedating medications, such as opiates or benzodiazepines, before bed

9. Alcohol

Drinking alcohol has a sedating effect because it affects alertness, judgment, and responsiveness. When you drink a lot of alcohol, you may “black out” and fall asleep.

Very common: Alcohol consumption is extremely common among adults and teenagers. Nearly 15 million people ages 12 and older have alcohol use disorder [Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism].

Symptoms you may have:

  • Slurred speech
  • Diminished reaction times
  • Lack of judgment
  • Loss of coordination
  • Loss of consciousness

Treatment and urgency: If you drink excessively and begin to develop a chemical dependence on alcohol, get help immediately. Treatment includes:

  • Counseling and support groups that help change drinking behavior, like Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Prescription medications such as naltrexone that help stop or reduce drinking and prevent relapse

10. Illicit drugs

Illicit drugs, particularly stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, can cause EDS. These drugs can keep you awake for extended periods of time and make it hard to get quality sleep.

Very common

Symptoms you may have:

Treatment and urgency: Get help immediately if you’re using stimulants regularly. Stimulant abuse can lead to very serious complications, such as psychotic symptoms, heart attack, and renal failure.

Other causes of excessive daytime sleepiness

  • Sedation is a side effect of many medications, including benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, and some anti-seizure medications.
  • Kleine-Levin syndrome
  • Idiopathic hypersomnia

Pro Tip

If you have trouble with sleeping and/or excessive daytime sleepiness, it is important to discuss it with your doctor. They can rule out a medical/organic cause, as well as refer you to a sleep specialist if needed. —Dr. Manuelpillai

FAQs about daytime sleepiness

These are some frequently asked questions about daytime sleepiness.

Can depression cause daytime sleepiness?

Yes. Depression and other medical conditions, including other psychiatric conditions like anxiety, substance abuse, and bipolar disorder, can cause EDS. Sleep disorders like insomnia and narcolepsy and certain disorders like Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis can cause daytime sleepiness.

What medications can affect sleepiness?

Antianxiety drugs like benzodiazepines, antihistamines, anti-seizure drugs, sedating antidepressants, and antipsychotics can all cause sleepiness. Additionally, alcohol, narcotics, or stimulant withdrawal (such as caffeine and cocaine) can also cause sleepiness.

Why am I always tired after eating?

There are many theories that may explain sleepiness after eating a large meal. Large meals may activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which causes sleepiness. Insulin released to process sugar may also increase brain levels of tryptophan, an amino acid that can make you feel sleepy.

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The stories shared below are not written by Buoy employees. Buoy does not endorse any of the information in these stories. Whenever you have questions or concerns about a medical condition, you should always contact your doctor or a healthcare provider.
Dr. Manuelpillai is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician. She received her undergraduate degree in Health Science Studies from Quinnipiac University (2002). She then went on to graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences/The Chicago Medical School (2007) where she served on the Executive Student Council, as well as was the alternate delegate to the AMA/ISMS-MSS G...
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