Drowsiness - Overview

Alternative Names

Sleepiness - during the day; Hypersomnia; Somnolence

Definition of Drowsiness:

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:

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.

Common Causes:

Having to work excessive hours or varying shifts (nights, weekends)
Medications (tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antihistamines)
Medical conditions (such as hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, and hyponatremia/hypernatremia)
Self-imposed short sleep time
Sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea syndrome and narcolepsy)

Reviewed last on: 10/31/2007
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.

References

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.