Medical Encyclopedia

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

Drowsiness

Contents of this page:

Alternative Names   

Sleepiness - during the day; Hypersomnia; Somnolence

Definition    Return to top

Drowsiness refers to feeling abnormally sleepy during the day -- often with a strong tendency to actually fall asleep in inappropriate situations or at inappropriate times.

Considerations    Return to top

Excessive daytime sleepiness (without a known cause) suggests the presence of a significant sleep disorder and is different from fatigue. Although depression, anxiety, stress, and boredom can contribute to excessive sleepiness, these conditions more typically cause fatigue and apathy.

Causes    Return to top

Home Care    Return to top

You can relieve drowsiness by treating the cause of the problem. For drowsiness due to depression, anxiety, boredom, or stress, try to solve problems without professional help first.

For drowsiness due to medications, talk to your health care provider about switching medications or discontinuing them. DO NOT CHANGE MEDICATIONS WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

For drowsiness due to obesity and hypoventilation (reduced breathing), weight loss is recommended, and you should consult your health care provider.

Your health care provider can treat hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, and hypo/hypernatremia.

For drowsiness due to narcolepsy, your doctor may prescribe stimulants (such as Ritalin).

For drowsiness due to other causes, seek medical help.

Consider buying a carbon monoxide monitor to check that the air in your home or apartment does not contain excessive levels of carbon monoxide.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Contact your health care provider if:

What to Expect at Your Office Visit    Return to top

The doctor will examine you to determine the cause of your drowsiness. Your sleep patterns will be investigated, and you'll have a psychological profile taken.

You may be asked the following medical history questions about your drowsiness:

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

After seeing your health care provider:

If your health care provider made a diagnosis related to drowsiness, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.

References    Return to top

Morgenthaler T, Kramer M, Alessi C, Friedman L, Boehlecke B, Brown T, et al. Practice parameters for the psychological and behavioral treatment of insomnia: an update. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine report. Sleep. 2006;29:1415-1419.

Schwartz JR, Roth T. Shift work sleep disorder: burden of illness and approaches to management. Drugs. 2006;66:2357-2370.

Update Date: 10/31/2007

Updated by: Robert Hurd, M.D., Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, and physician in the Primary Care Clinic, Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Logo

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2009, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.