Daytime sleepiness is a common symptom caused by a lack of nutrients or the progression of pathological conditions. To identify the root cause of the violation, it is better to undergo a comprehensive examination and consult a doctor.
Sometimes this symptom occurs with reduced stomach acidity and overeating. Fluctuations in hormonal levels also affect well-being: pregnant women, especially in the first trimester, often face this problem.
In this case, it is the body’s normal physiological reactions, which do not require specific therapy.
Major Causes Of Daytime Sleepiness
Constant sleepiness significantly worsens the quality of life, affects the ability to work and the psycho-emotional state of a person. The causes associated with daytime sleepiness can be natural, physiological, or due to certain disorders.
Some people associate daytime sleepiness with weather changes: high humidity, fog, and rain. However, since a healthy person should not be facing this problem, let’s see the major causes of daytime sleepiness.
1. Stress
Stressful situations and deterioration of the psycho-emotional state cause sleep disturbances at night and increased sleepiness during the day. A state of constant overstrain can lead to the fact that a person stops sleeping altogether. This state causes serious complications for the body.
Mild remedies that can reduce the effects of stress: intake of magnesium and vitamin B6, herbs with a calming effect such as chamomile and mint. If stress does not get treated for a long time, the likelihood of developing depression increases. This isn’t easy to treat with minerals and herbal complexes. In this case, you should seek the help of a psychotherapist.
2. Bad Habits
People with bad habits often complain of daytime sleepiness. The use of alcoholic beverages causes general intoxication of the body; smoking and using drugs are other reasons. Bad habits often cause the development of other diseases that can also cause drowsiness during the day: thyroid pathology, pancreatic dysfunction, and hypertension.
Smokers and alcoholics have an increased risk of developing deficiency conditions. Due to which they feel sleepiness and weakness. A good solution is to abandon these bad habits. Though it will be difficult to manage the withdrawal symptoms, with the help of a specialist, you can overcome this problem.
3. Taking Medications
Drowsiness is one of the common side effects that occur with certain groups of drugs. Sometimes such a reaction is not described in the instructions, and drowsiness is an individual patient’s reaction to the active substance.
Most often, such reactions occur when using:
· Tranquilizers
· Antipsychotics
· Antidepressants
To reduce the likelihood of developing sleepiness during the day, it is better to postpone the intake of such drugs before going to bed. If the instructions for use do not allow such a transfer, it is better to discuss the possibility of replacement with the doctor. For example, old-generation allergy medications can be replaced with modern ones.
4. Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a pathological condition accompanied by chronic metabolic disorders. The disease is due to the insufficient synthesis of its own insulin by the cells of the pancreas, due to which glucose does not enter the cells of the body.
It occurs against the background of obesity, hereditary predisposition, nutritional disorders, cardiovascular disease, chronic stress, and adrenal insufficiency. The disease can cause constant thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, drowsiness during the daytime, increased appetite, frequent urination, and insomnia.
5. Apnea
Apnea is the frequent stopping of breathing at night due to snoring. It is one of the most dangerous causes of daytime sleepiness. Stopping breathing can last from a few seconds to 1-2 minutes. This provokes oxygen starvation, disrupts the functioning of the central nervous system. Sleep in a person with sleep apnea is intermittent, restless, and of poor quality.
Due to the constant lack of sleep, there are complaints of sleepiness during the daytime. As a result, the ability to work decreases and the quality of life worsens. Approximately one-third of all road traffic accidents are associated with sleep apnea. Due to which the quality of night sleep deteriorates, and daytime sleepiness prevails.
6. Hypertension
Hypertension is a violation of the functioning of the cardiovascular apparatus. In it, systolic and diastolic blood pressure gets disturbed. Secondary arterial hypertension is a disorder that occurs due to improper regulation of blood pressure.
The main manifestations of the violation include:
· Headache
· Noise in ears
· Shortness of breath
· Chest pain
· Increased heart rate
· Visual impairment
Daytime sleepiness is a non-specific manifestation of hypertension. Sleepiness can often be because of taking antihypertensive medications prescribed by your doctor.
7. Thyroid Disease
Thyroid disease particularly decreased thyroid function, is one of the most common causes of daytime sleepiness. The female representatives are at risk. Women are more susceptible to stress, decreased ferritin levels due to monthly blood loss.
The situation gets aggravated if the patient is iodine-deficient. Moreover, if you do not receive a sufficient amount of zinc, vitamins A, D, B vitamins from the diet, you are at risk of developing this disease.
Prevention
To prevent daytime sleepiness, doctors offer the following recommendations:
· Observe the hygiene of night sleep: go to bed on time, no later than 23:00, in a dark, cool room, sleep for at least 7 hours, and analyze the quality of sleep.
· To establish the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract: restore acidity and outflow of bile, select an individual, suitable list of products, observe a drinking regime.
· Introduce fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, antioxidants, fiber, seeds, and legumes into the daily diet.
· To replenish the lack of vitamins and microelements: eat vitamins of group B, D, iron, zinc, copper, iodine, fat-soluble substances, and magnesium.
· Observe the work and rest regime.
· Give preference to moderate physical activity: yoga, running, breathing practices, daily walks in the fresh air at least 10,000 steps, swimming, and contrast shower.
Conclusion
It is important to treat the emerging diseases in a timely manner and seek qualified medical help at the first symptoms of a disorder. Constant sleepiness negatively affects a person’s condition and can provoke serious psychological disturbances.