January 30, 2023 Authors : Vera Santos Martins e Cláudia Monteiro Excessive daytime sleepiness is defined as the difficulty someone in being alert or awake at the times of day when are supposed to be. The reported prevalence in the population is very variable: between 4% and 20.6%. It can occur in different ways, for example: An ongoing state of persistent sleepiness; A sudden feeling of sleep and the need to sleep; Small, unintentional, effective sleep episodes, usually associated with monotonous activities. It can happen in different situations or activities (for example, watching television, in social contexts, driving, among others), with equally different consequences, many with a high potential severity. Excessive daytime sleepiness is often confused with fatigue or tiredness . Indeed, several circumstances and behaviors can be reflected in sleepiness during the periods of the day when one should be awake. However, although they can occur simultaneously and with some similar symptoms, excessive daytime sleepiness and tiredness are not the same thing. There is excessive daytime sleepiness when symptoms occur nearly every day for at least 3 months . The causes of excessive daytime sleepiness also have an impact on the amount and/or quality of night sleep. Causes and consequences of excessive daytime sleepiness One of the most common causes of excessive daytime sleepiness is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome . Other factors that may also be responsible for or contribute to excessive daytime sleepiness are, for example: Sleep deprivation; Depression; Restless legs syndrome; Neurological diseases. When excessive daytime sleepiness is not treated, some of its consequences can be : Worse quality of life; Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity; Increased risk of road and work accidents; Decreased work productivity or school performance; Mood and emotions regulation problems; Problems in social and family relationships. Symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness In addition to the difficulty in maintaining adequate alertness and the perception of sleepiness, other symptoms that may occur in association with excessive daytime sleepiness are: Irritation; Memory problems; Difficulty in maintaining focus on an activity; Difficulty in making decisions; Difficulty retaining new concepts; Take longer to react. Being aware and recognizing these symptoms early is essential to identify the cause and treat the problem timely . Be sure to speak with your doctor or schedule a Sleep Consultation if your daytime alertness is an issue that you feel is affecting you. Sources Pérez-Carbonell L, Mignot E, Leschziner G, Dauvilliers Y. Understanding and approaching excessive daytime sleepiness. Lancet 2022;400(10357):1033-1046. Slater G, Steier J. Excessive daytime sleepiness in sleep disorders. J Thorac Dis 2012;4:608-16. Meet the pulmonology clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
