Causes of Drowsiness That You Should Be Aware Of

Do you constantly feel drowsy or sleepy, without any obvious reason like being physically tired? Drowsiness or a strong desire to sleep, even in waking hours, is also known as Somnolence or Hypersomnia. Drowsiness is extreme sleepiness at inappropriate times and places.

People suffering from sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia are bound to suffer from sleepiness the entire day due to lack of sleep the previous night. On the other hand, self-induced less sleep is another common cause of drowsiness among teenagers, students, and workaholics.

Stress and anxiety are top causes of drowsiness. The fast paced and changing modern lifestyle leads to stress among people of all ages. Finance, relationships, job, career, school, etc., are common issues leading to stress. A depressive disorder or clinical depression, caused due to diverse factors also leads to lack of activity and a constant urge to sleep.

Drowsiness causes also include viral infections like common cold and flu, fever, brain infections, encephalitis, head and brain injury, anemia, kidney disease, and allergies. On the other hand, side effects of certain medications like antihistamines, pain relievers, and antidepressant also cause sleepiness.

As mentioned earlier, stress has become one of the major parts of people's life which leads to insomnia and other sleep disorders, consequently making a person drowsy all day long. On the other hand, working or doing a physical activity for a long time, doing excess mental activity like studying, leads to fatigue and drowsiness.

Secondly, it can also occur as a side effect of alcoholism. Consumption of excess alcohol slackens a person's activity and makes him lethargic and sleepy. Similarly, boredom and jet lag are some of the other common causes.

It is essential to identify the causes before looking for treatment. Drowsiness caused due to stress, fatigue, work pressure, etc., can be overcome by some simple relaxation and stress management techniques. If it is caused by certain illnesses or medications, one should notify the doctor about this and get the illness treated and the medications changed.

Sleep disorders can also be treated with the help of prescription medications and self-help techniques. On the other hand, it is essential to bring changes in the lifestyle. One should read, work, study for limited hours and take rest after regular intervals. Alcohol consumption should be reduced as it also has a negative effect on other parts of the body.

As a concluding note, it should be remembered that if one experiences drowsiness due to none of the aforementioned causes, it is advisable to consult the doctor for proper medical diagnosis and treatment. Take care!

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical professional.