What Causes Excessive Daytime Sleepiness?

Posted on Tue, 17 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 17 May 2016 Answered on

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : During the daytime, I feel sleepy quite often. I am healthy person. But recently I have observed that whenever my body is at rest (e.g. sitting comfortably in chair in the office), my mind starts getting shut gradually and I start getting bouts of sleep. Sometimes its very strong and I feel as if I would fall down to the floor.
I get deep sleep of 6-7 hours every night. I also get up quite fresh in the morning. Why does it happen to me during the day? Please suggest.

Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Based on the symptoms it appears to be narcolepsy

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX.
Welcome.
I have gone through your query.
In the absence of any other medical condition and use of any drug, your symptom is suggestive of a condition know as narcolepsy.
Main symptoms of this includes excessive daytime sleepiness and Cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone that leads to feelings of weakness and a loss of voluntary muscle control).

To confirm the diagnosis sleep studies need to be conducted. I would suggest you to see neurologist or psychiatrist for examination and further help.

Treatment is to address the daytime Sleepiness, with amphetamine-like CNS stimulants. Lifestyle adjustments such as avoiding alcohol, nicotine, and heavy meals, regulating sleep schedules, scheduling daytime naps (10-15 minutes in length), and establishing a normal exercise and meal schedule may also help to reduce symptoms.

Hope this helps.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar