Lack of sleep is widely considered to be the most common cause of excessive sleepiness. Sleep deprivation may be short-term or chronic and can itself be caused by numerous sleep disorders and other medical conditions :. A lack of sleep is not the only potential cause of excessive sleepiness. Medications , especially sedatives, can make a person drowsy and disoriented during the day. Antidepressants, pain medications, and over-the-counter antihistamines are just a few of the other types of medications that can cause sleepiness.
In addition, withdrawal from some drugs may provoke drowsiness. Mental health disorders can frequently cause drowsiness. Bipolar disorder , post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD , and general anxiety disorder are associated with sleeping problems that may give rise to bouts of excessive sleepiness.
Several brain conditions can cause excessive daytime sleepiness. Narcolepsy is a prominent example as it is a neurological condition in which the brain cannot properly regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Narcolepsy affects around one in every 2, people and makes them prone to falling asleep rapidly, including at inopportune times. Traumatic brain injury TBI and concussions commonly cause sleeping problems , and brain tumors or lesions may provoke excessive sleepiness.
Infections, including meningitis and those that cause encephalitis swelling of the brain , can also lead to EDS. Other health problems beyond brain conditions can make a person sleepy during the day. Metabolic problems, including diabetes and hypothyroidism, can be risk factors for drowsiness. Medical conditions like anemia, abnormal blood sodium levels, and electrolyte imbalances can also provoke excessive sleepiness.
Relief is possible for most people with excessive sleepiness. The optimal treatment is tailored to each person based on the specific cause or contributing factors. Because EDS can be caused by both poor sleep habits and medical and brain conditions, there are a diverse range of approaches to resolving it.
A doctor is in the best position to identify and tailor optimal treatment pathways for individuals. If drowsiness is derived from sleep deprivation, various steps can be taken to improve sleep quality and quantity.
If EDS is tied to another medical problem, treatment typically focuses on resolving that underlying issue. Sleep hygiene improvements may be encouraged along with other treatments to help people incorporate healthy sleep tips into their daily routines. Eric Suni has over a decade of experience as a science writer and was previously an information specialist for the National Cancer Institute.
His research and clinical practice focuses on the entire myriad of sleep disorders. Terminology about sleep can be confusing. Our sleep dictionary clearly explains common sleep terms so that you can better understand…. This guide to diabetes and sleep discusses common sleep problems, consequences of sleep deprivation, and the link between type 2….
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Our editors and medical experts rigorously evaluate every article and guide to ensure the information is factual, up-to-date, and free of bias. Updated July 31, Written by Eric Suni. Medically Reviewed by Dr. Abhinav Singh. Sign up below for your free gift. Your privacy is important to us. Was this article helpful? Yes No. You can calculate your calorie needs using the calorie calculator in this article. Your body requires a minimum number of calories in order to perform daily functions.
Consuming too few calories can lead to fatigue and make it difficult to meet nutrient needs. Research has found that when your sleep pattern is out of sync with your circadian rhythm, chronic fatigue may develop In one study, healthy young men were allowed to sleep either seven hours or just under five hours before being kept awake for 21—23 hours.
Their fatigue ratings increased before and after sleep, regardless of the number of hours they slept However, if your job involves shift work, there are strategies to retrain your body clock, which should improve your energy levels. In one study, shift workers reported significantly less fatigue and better mood after being exposed to bright light pulses, wearing dark sunglasses outside and sleeping in total darkness Using glasses to block blue light may also help people who perform shift work.
Try to sleep at night or retrain your body clock. Inadequate protein intake could be contributing to your fatigue. Consuming protein has been shown to boost your metabolic rate more than carbs or fat do In one study, self-reported fatigue levels were significantly lower among Korean college students who reported eating high-protein foods like fish, meat, eggs and beans at least twice a day 5.
Other studies have found that high-protein diets tend to produce less fatigue among weight lifters and people who perform resistance training 30 , To keep your metabolism strong and prevent fatigue, aim to consume a high-quality protein source at every meal.
Consuming adequate protein is important for keeping your metabolism up and preventing fatigue. Include a good protein source at every meal. The many biochemical reactions that take place in your body every day result in a loss of water that needs to be replaced.
Several studies have shown that being even mildly dehydrated can lead to lower energy levels and a decreased ability to concentrate 33 , 34 , Although you may have heard that you should drink eight, 8-ounce ml glasses of water daily, you may require more or less than this depending on your weight, age, gender and level of activity. The key is drinking enough to maintain good hydration levels. Common symptoms of dehydration include thirst, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches.
Even mild dehydration may reduce energy levels and alertness. Make sure to drink enough to replace fluid lost during the day. For example, a study in sleep-deprived healthy adults found that consuming an energy shot led to modest improvements in alertness and mental function Unfortunately, these energy drinks are also likely to set you up for rebound fatigue when the effects of caffeine and sugar wear off. One review of 41 studies found that although energy drinks led to increased alertness and improved mood for several hours after consumption, excessive daytime sleepiness often occurred the following day Although the caffeine content varies widely among brands, an energy shot may contain up to mg, and some energy drinks provide as much as mg per can.
By comparison, coffee typically contains between 77— mg of caffeine per cup However, even at smaller dosages, drinking caffeinated beverages in the afternoon may interfere with sleep and lead to low energy levels the following day To break the cycle, try cutting back and gradually weaning yourself off these energy drinks.
In addition, limit coffee and other caffeinated beverage consumption to early in the day. Energy drinks contain caffeine and other ingredients that can provide a temporary energy boost, but often lead to rebound fatigue. Although some stress is normal, excessive levels of stress have been linked to fatigue in several studies 41 , 42 , One study in college students found that avoiding dealing with stress led to the greatest level of fatigue While you may not be able to avoid stressful situations, developing strategies for managing your stress may help prevent you from feeling completely exhausted.
For instance, large reviews of studies suggest yoga and meditation can help relieve stress 44 , Engaging in these or similar mind-body practices may ultimately help you feel more energetic and better able to cope with stress. Excessive stress can cause fatigue and reduce your quality of life. Practicing stress-reduction techniques may help improve your energy levels. There are many possible causes for feeling chronically tired.
However, feeling overly tired may be related to what you eat and drink, how much activity you get or the way you manage stress. The good news is that making a few lifestyle changes may very well improve your energy levels and overall quality of life. See your GP if you think you are depressed. If you have constant uncontrollable feelings of anxiety, you may have what doctors call generalised anxiety disorder GAD in adults. As well as feeling worried and irritable, people with GAD often feel tired.
See a GP, as medication and talking therapies can help. If you think your tiredness may be a result of low mood or anxiety, try this short audio guide to dealing with your sleep problems. In this audio guide, a doctor explains what you can do to give yourself the best chance of a good night's sleep.
If you have been feeling constantly tired for more than 4 weeks, it's a good idea to see your GP so they can confirm or rule out a medical condition that could be causing your tiredness. Read more about the 10 medical reasons for feeling tired. And to try to stay on top of things, we sometimes consume too much alcohol or caffeine, or eat sugary and high-fat snacks on the go rather than sitting down for a proper meal.
Drinking too much interferes with the quality of your sleep. Stick to the guidelines of no more than 14 units a week for both men and women. Read more about tips on cutting down on alcohol. Read more about the benefits of exercise. Too much of this stimulant, found in tea, coffee, colas and energy drinks, can upset sleep and make you feel wound-up as well as tired.
Night workers often find they get tired more easily.
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