Sleepiness in adults

Constant drowsiness can reduce school performance and provoke problems at work, creates tension in social and personal relationships, provokes serious risks when driving a car. Describing constant drowsiness is quite simple – there is a feeling that we did not get enough sleep, did not rest, our eyes literally stick together, fatigue and lethargy occur.

Drowsiness, also called hypersomnia, can be accompanied by lethargy (lethargy), weakness, and lack of mental clarity. Although most people feel sleepy or tired at some point, especially after a sleepless night, the constant feeling of not getting enough sleep can indicate a medical problem.

Causes of sleepiness in adults

There are several reasons that can cause drowsiness.

• Apnea. This is a condition in which you stop breathing in the middle of the night, often several times a night. Lack of oxygen, as well as constant sleep disturbance lead to constant daytime sleepiness, lethargy and fatigue. Sleep apnea is also associated with more serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
• Narcolepsy. This is a disease associated with uncontrolled bouts of daytime sleep.
• Insomnia. In this case, the person cannot fall asleep quickly and has trouble sleeping during the night.
• Circadian rhythm sleep disorder. Another reason for daytime sleepiness. It often occurs in shift workers with irregular work schedules, and the resulting drowsiness can seriously affect family life, work productivity, and workplace safety.
• Depression and stress. They are also associated with sleep disturbance. Treating or eliminating these conditions can greatly improve your ability to fall asleep and sleep well.
• Medicines. Some drugs are known to cause drowsiness. These include sedatives and tranquilizers, pain relievers, and allergy medicines (antihistamines).

The sudden onset of drowsiness can indicate a life-threatening condition, especially if it is related to head trauma, exposure to extreme cold, or drug overdose.

Sleepiness symptoms in adults

Drowsiness may accompany other symptoms, which depend on the underlying disease, disorder, or condition. There are also accompanying symptoms that can occur along with drowsiness:

• mood, personality or behavior changes;
• problems with memory, thinking, speaking, understanding speech, writing or reading;
• fatigue;
• low energy level;
• malaise or lethargy.

In some cases, drowsiness can be a sign of a life-threatening condition that should be treated immediately. Seek immediate medical attention if you or someone close to you has any of these life-threatening symptoms:

• changes in consciousness, such as loss of consciousness or lack of response;
• change in mental status or sudden change in behavior such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations;
• convulsions or seizures;
• inability to warm up;
• Strong headache;
• stiffness of the neck muscles.

What to do with drowsiness in adults at home

The optimal treatment is selected for each person depending on the specific cause or contributing factors.

Because excessive sleepiness can be caused by both poor sleep and medical conditions, there are many approaches to addressing it. But it is important that the doctor determines the causes of drowsiness. He will also develop the best treatment options.

If drowsiness is caused by lack of sleep, melatonin preparations – Melarena, Melarithm, or cognitive behavioral therapy can be prescribed to help cope with insomnia.

Sleep apnea is treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines.

If the drowsiness is due to a medical problem, treatment is usually aimed at eliminating the disease.

In general, try to pay more attention to sleep hygiene:

• go to bed and wake up at the same time;
• try to relax before going to bed – take a bath, read a book, listen to relaxing music;
• use your bedroom only for sleep and sex.

Popular questions and answers

Answered our questions about sleepiness Cardiologist, therapist Natalya Gavrilyuk.