Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Drowsiness

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Sleepiness - during the day; Hypersomnia; Somnolence


Home Care

You can relieve drowsiness by treating the cause of the problem. First, determine whether your fatigue is due to depression, anxiety, boredom, or stress. If you are not sure, talk with your health care provider.

For drowsiness due to medications, talk to your health care provider about switching or stopping your medications. DO NOT CHANGE MEDICATIONS WITHOUT FIRST TALKING TO 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.


Call your health care provider if

Contact your health care provider if you think the cause of your drowsiness is from any of the above conditions.


What to expect at your health care provider's office

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

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

  • Sleep pattern
    • How well do you sleep?
    • How much do you sleep?
    • Do you snore?
    • Do you have episodes in which you do not breathe during sleep (sleep apnea)?
    • Do you fall asleep during the day when you are not intending to nap (such as when watching TV or reading)?
      • If so, do you awake feeling refreshed?
      • How often does this happen?
  • Emotional state
    • Are you depressed?
    • Are you anxious or feeling stressed?
    • Are you bored?
  • Other
    • What medications do you take?
    • What have you done to try to relieve the drowsiness?
    • How well did it work?
    • What other symptoms do you have?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

  • Blood tests (such as a CBC and blood differential, electrolytes, and thyroid hormone levels)
  • CT scan of the head
  • EEG
  • Sleep studies
  • Urine tests (such as a urinalysis)

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


Review Date: 06/01/2009
Reviewed By: Jeffrey Heit, MD, Internist with special emphasis on preventive health, fitness, and nutrition, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)