Daytime Sleepiness

What are some common causes of daytime sleepiness?

Everyone experiences occasional daytime sleepiness, especially after a late night, a period of increased activity, or when transitioning to a new sleep environment. When daytime sleepiness persists or is disruptive to your normal routine, you may want to explore potential causes. 

Some of the factors that can cause or contribute to daytime sleepiness include:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Certain medical conditions
• Sleep deprivation/insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Medications with a sedating effect

It’s relatively easy to diagnose some cases of daytime sleepiness, while others may require more in-depth diagnostic efforts. Respacare providers work closely with you to get to the bottom of your sleep issues and find a lasting path toward relief. 

When should I see a specialist about daytime sleepiness?

Feeling tired from time to time is usually nothing to worry about. Sleepiness is your body’s way of signaling you to get more rest. 

But when you experience frequent or pronounced daytime sleepiness, there may be something more serious at play. Your body needs quality rest to perform the numerous functions that take place while you sleep, and long-term sleep deprivation or disruption can cause a wide range of negative effects. 

Researchers have found clear links between poor quality sleep and medical conditions like diabetes, coronary heart disease, and obesity. People who can’t get the rest they need even have a higher risk of premature death. 

If you find yourself frequently tired or sleepy during the day, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Respacare. Once your provider identifies the cause of your daytime sleepiness, you can begin exploring treatment options. 

What diagnostic tools assess sleep quality?

Respacare offers state-of-the-art diagnostics to help you get the rest you need. That process begins with a discussion of your sleep patterns, as well as a review of your personal and family health history. 

Be sure to share the details of all medications and supplements you’re taking. In some cases, side effects from drug therapy are the primary source of sleep disruption, and resolving the problem is as simple as altering your medications. 

Additional diagnostic tools used at Respacare include:

• Multiple sleep latency testing
• Job-related sleep testing
• Home sleep testing
• Maintenance of wakefulness testing

The tools used for your personalized diagnostic assessment depend on your lifestyle, symptoms, and health. The results help shape a customized treatment plan to improve both the quantity and quality of your sleep. 

If you’re ready to explore treatments for daytime sleepiness, call Respacare to set up a visit or schedule online.