Taking care of yourself during waking hours will help your sleep. There may be a genetic component. These wake ups continually interrupt the natural cycles of sleep, with all its lighter and deeper stages. feeling sluggish and unmotivated throughout the day. Not getting enough sleep -- sometimes by choice -- is the most common cause of excessive sleepiness. Treadmills have become increasingly sophisticated and can offer top-notch home workouts. It's also commonly related to depression. It’s a good idea to check in with your doctor if your sleepiness symptoms last longer than six weeks. Newer versions of CPAP machines have smaller, more comfortable masks. Earplugs or a white-noise machine can help drown out distractions. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Frozen meal delivery services make it easy and convenient to enjoy a nutritious meal that fits your nutritional needs without having to spend time…. Since day-to-day life might include responsibilities that don’t allow for this much rest, long sleepers may feel excessively tired during the day and catch up on off days, sleeping as much as 15 hours at a time. What Causes Excessive Sleep in the Elderly? Include anything and everything about your usual habits and routine so you can show your doctor. Excessive daytime sleepiness is characterized by persistent sleepiness and often a general lack of energy, even during the day after apparently adequate or even prolonged nighttime sleep. Cancer. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Some people develop a condition that causes them to suffer from excessive sleepiness throughout the day, even if they take naps, and they sleep for long periods of up to 10-12 hours during the night, and this may be associated with memory and energy problems as … Like its counterpart insomnia, hypersomnia has several core symptoms: Sleeping for extended hours at night (typically well beyond the 7-8-hour general norm) Difficulty waking up in the morning (including sleeping through an alarm) As we age, we experience less time in the deeper types of sleep, and wake up more in the middle of the night. Easy irritability. Herbal tea or warm milk are better substitutes. The most common causes of excessive sleepiness are sleep deprivation and disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia. Take your dog to the vet. If you are tired but you cannot … Excessive sleeping and lethargy may also be due to an underlying health problem. Sleep apnea. Sleep Divorce May Work for You. less than 200,000 people in the United States. Try to limit the number of pets or children sleeping in your bed, and avoid falling asleep with the television on, even if the sound is off. Excessive Sleeping Caused By Sleep Apnea Having a Sleep Study. Treating depression can be done with a combination of therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes. It can leave you feeling sleepy during the day. Like RLS, it’s a neurological disorder. Exactly how much sleep should you get? You may experience hypersomnia if you often wake up in the middle of the night. Lifestyle factors can play a part. Making lifestyle changes that address poor sleep habits may also help. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (secondary stage): This results from a condition that causes poor sleep and fatigue. napping frequently throughout the day. Many people find themselves sleeping more as they get older, and assume it’s a normal part of aging, Polotsky adds. Anyone can have narcolepsy, though it usually develops in people between the ages of 7 and 25. You may be lying down peacefully when you start to feel a throbbing or itching sensation in your legs that only gets better when you get up and walk. When you go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, you condition your body to expect sleep during that time. After it is determined that excessive daytime sleepiness is present, a complete medical examination and full evaluation of potential disorders in the differential diagnosis (which can be tedious, expensive and time … There are different types and classes of insomnia. Not doing so will put you in what’s called “sleep debt,” and can lead to a host of symptoms and health issues. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. 4. Excessive Sleep in the Elderly. An extra hour of sleep sounds great, but its effects on the mind and body are mixed. If the excess sweating is due to an underlying medical condition, it's called secondary hyperhidrosis. If your doctor doesn’t ask about your sleep routine, volunteer your symptoms of daytime sleepiness and discuss ways to overcome them. Sleeping too much. Your doctor may also prescribe anti-seizure drugs to control RLS symptoms. Understand though, common doesn’t always mean normal. Chronic Lack of Sleep: This is one of the most common causes of excessive sleepiness. If your doctor recommends them, they may be needed temporarily. Hypersomnia typically starts in childhood. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that might make you feel tired, … The person repeatedly stops breathing long enough to interfere with sleep; these pauses also temporarily decrease a person's oxygen supply. These eight memes can hopefully provide you with a bit of…. Other signs, such as snoring or kicking, may be occurring while you’re asleep. However, a range of factors can cause excessive sleepiness. If your body is allergic to something or has an infection, it might produce … Other causes include sleep disorders, medication, and … One fairly common reason for excessive sleepiness is obstructive sleep apnea. Unlike fatigue, which is more about low energy, excessive sleepiness can make you feel so tired that it interferes with school, work, and possibly even your relationships and day-to-day functioning. It’s not considered an actual condition, but it is a symptom of another problem. Don’t live with feeling tired every day when you might have a condition that is easily and safely treated. Such as sleep apnea, it causes difficulty in breathing at night. Some complications may include: People who oversleep may also be at higher risk of auto accidents. Here are the current guidelines from the National Sleep Foundation: Oversleeping is called hypersomnia or “long sleeping.” This condition affects about 2 percent of people. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Excessive sleeping, also known as hypersomnia, occurs when a person sleeps too much every night for two weeks or more.This equals about ten hours of sleep per night for an adult. Causes of hypersomnia Conditions that may be related to excessive sleepiness include: Some medicines, drinking too much alcohol and taking drugs can also cause excessive daytime sleepiness. Contrary to popular belief, the elderly require 7 to 9 hours of slee… And consider switching your pillow or mattress if they are uncomfortable. A multiple sleep latency test is one of the best ways to detect hypersomnia in children. In the event that a person is sleeping excessively without activity and are not losing sleep time by one or more the factors mentioned above, then the cause should be investigated. One of the most common treatments is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). We all have a unique journey towards death. They can prescribe sleep medications that can improve your quality of sleep. We’ll review all the potential causes…, Today, sleep-deprived couples say they'd be willing to file for a “sleep divorce” — opting to catch their nightly Zzz’s apart from one another, all in…, Jet lag, pulling an all-nighter, and shift work can all mess up your sleep schedule, and it can be hard to get on track. Your sleep needs may also be affected by pregnancy, aging, sleep deprivation, and sleep quality. You may not remember all of your nighttime wakings, but they can keep you from getting enough deep sleep to leave you feeling refreshed. Exercise is good for your body, but doing it right before you go to bed may disrupt your sleep. This is not unusual with age but can only be considered normal if it follows a period of activity. Obstructive Sleep Apnea. If you can identify the cause of your excessive sleepiness and get treatment, you should find yourself feeling more energetic and with a better ability to concentrate during the day. You may eventually get into a rhythm where sleep comes more easily. Set the stage for a good night’s rest by following these tips: Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. If excessive sweating has no underlying medical cause, it's called primary hyperhidrosis. A noticeable change in your sleep schedule is one of the more common symptoms of depression. They can all cause excessive sleepiness, because they all keep you from getting enough deep sleep during the night. And getting too much sleep can even lead to health risks. The causes of excess sleeping are usually tied to day to day habits that can be changed to help treat excessive sleeping … Alcohol can make you sleepy, but it actually makes your quality of sleep worse. Your doctor may recommend iron supplements if it appears your iron levels are low. For many people with sleep disorders, it’s a bed partner who observes other key symptoms. Feeling tired on a regular basis is extremely common. Also, ask your doctor if there are medications that might work for you. Sleeping too much isn’t healthy. Causes of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness. Daytime sleepiness may be the only symptom you know. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Here’s the truth about crying it out, Richard Ferber’s popular sleep training program for older infants and toddlers. Sometimes sleep changes are an early sign of depression. With options including slings, wraps. You may also want to tell your doctor if you’re getting too much sleep. Sticking to a regular sleep-wake schedule every night and morning is also recommended. 1. continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), Find Relief from Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, CPAP Alternatives: When a CPAP Machine Isn’t Working for Your Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: When to Talk to Your Doctor, Hacks for Managing Daytime Sleepiness at Work, How to Choose a Sleep Specialist (and What to Ask Them When You Do), 8 Relatable Memes If You Have Daytime Sleepiness, 10 Reasons You’re Always Tired (And What You Can Do About It), loud snoring and gasping for air while sleeping, some medications that treat high blood pressure, avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bedtime. Sleep specialists can help diagnose and treat a variety of sleep conditions. Sometimes daytime fatigue stems from boredom. If your oversleeping cannot be attributed to other medical conditions, your doctor may recommend the following: If your oversleeping is caused by an underlying health issue, treating the issue may help you start sleeping normally. It is possible to get too much of a good thing. Other causes of excessive sleeping include alcohol, drugs, obesity, lack of physical activity and sleeping during the day and working at night. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition in which you repeatedly stop and start … Regardless of the cause, it’s important to have your sleep condition evaluated if daytime sleepiness is keeping you from making the most of your day. "The severity of daytime sleepiness needs to be quantified by subjective scales (at least the Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and objective tests such as the multiple sleep latency test(MSLT)." Your circadian rhythm plays a large role in your sleep-wake cycle, telling your body when it's time to sleep and wake up for the day. Medications that commonly include excessive sleepiness include: If you think your prescription medication is making you sleepy, talk to your doctor before you stop taking it. There are actually two main types of sleep apnea. If you aren’t sleeping well at night, you’re likely to experience excessive sleepiness during the day. This article outlines 10 reasons why people feel tired, as well as what to do about it. Excessive sleepiness is the feeling of being especially tired or drowsy during the day. For example, diabetes and hypothyroidism can drain a dog's energy. Review the chart below to see how much sleep is generally recommended. When a loved one is approaching death, the main role of those around is to be there and to offer comfort in … Excessive sleepiness may also cause: difficulty waking up or getting out of bed in the morning. falling asleep at inappropriate times, such as while driving or during meals. At night this kind of light can disrupt your body’s natural circadian rhythm and disrupt sleep. 3. The excessive sleepiness can be a result of other conditions such as depression, obesity, epilepsy, or multiple sclerosis. There are people who experience a gradual decline, while there are others who fade very quickly. All rights reserved. Sleep apnea also has several other symptoms. Some medications cause drowsiness as a side effect. This may not necessarily mean that death is near, but it certainly is cause for contacting a doctor to see if a specific treatment should be altered, added or removed. Bored with Life. If so, be sure to discuss any potential side effects with your doctor or pharmacist.