Let's Talk About Your Daytime Sleepiness

Finding yourself nodding off during important meetings or classes or feeling an overwhelming urge to nap in the middle of the day?

Chronic daytime sleepiness is more than just an inconvenience—it can point to an underlying neurologic or health condition and significantly affect your daily life and overall well-being.

Since these underlying issues can be difficult to diagnose, if you’re struggling with chronic drowsiness during the day, it’s important to talk to a specialist rather than trying to manage on your own. 

At Modern Migraine MD with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Florida, and over telehealth in 13 states, board-certified neurologist Risa Ravitz, MD, and her team of experts specialize in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. 

By understanding the neurological factors contributing to your daytime sleepiness, our team can develop a personalized treatment plan to help you regain your energy and improve your quality of life.

Keep reading to learn more about the possible causes of daytime sleepiness and the ways we can help you feel rested and alert. 

Understanding daytime sleepiness

Daytime sleepiness refers to the struggle to stay awake and alert during the day. It can lead to decreased productivity, mood swings, and even dangerous situations, such as falling asleep while driving. 

Many people struggle with this issue, and several factors can contribute to this condition, including lifestyle choices, medical conditions, and neurological disorders. 

Some of the most common causes of daytime sleepiness include:

Poor sleep hygiene

Irregular sleep schedules, excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, and lack of a relaxing bedtime routine can all negatively affect the quality of your sleep and cause you to be sleepy during the day.

Stress, anxiety, and mental health

Feeling stressed, anxious, or dealing with mental health issues can interfere with your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. This can lead to fatigue during the day.

Physical conditions

Physical issues and conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or chronic pain can disrupt your sleep. As a result, you might experience increased daytime drowsiness.

Daytime sleepiness and neurological sleep disorders

Daytime sleepiness can also be a symptom of different neurological sleep disorders. These conditions affect how your brain regulates sleep and wakefulness. 

Here are some neurological disorders that might be contributing to your daytime sleepiness:

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea develops because of communication problems between your brain and the muscles that control breathing. It causes your breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and significant daytime sleepiness.

Circadian rhythm disorders

Circadian rhythm disorders occur when your body’s internal clock is out of sync with your environment. This misalignment can make it difficult to sleep and wake at appropriate times, leading to fatigue during the day.

Parasomnias

Parasomnias are disruptive sleep-related behaviors, such as sleepwalking, sleep talking, and eating in your sleep. These activities can fragment your sleep, leaving you feeling tired and unrested the next day.

Central nervous system hypersomnia

Central nervous system hypersomnia includes conditions like narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), which cause excessive daytime sleepiness despite getting enough sleep at night. 

People with these disorders often experience sudden sleep attacks and struggle to stay awake during the day.

REM sleep behavior disorder

REM sleep behavior disorder causes people to act out their dreams physically, including talking, shouting, or hitting. This disorder disrupts your normal sleep cycle, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness.

Symptoms of an underlying problem

Identifying the symptoms of neurological sleep disorders is crucial for seeking appropriate treatment. Some symptoms to watch for include:

• Difficulty staying awake during the day, even after a full night’s sleep
• Frequent naps that don't relieve sleepiness
• Sudden episodes of falling asleep during activities
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep 
• Acting out dreams or experiencing vivid, intense dreams

If you’re struggling with daytime sleepiness, it's essential to seek help from a specialist who understands the complexities of sleep disorders and can identify any neurological issues.

Seeking professional help for daytime sleepiness

At Modern Migraine MD, Dr. Ravitz and her team provide comprehensive evaluations to determine the root cause of your sleep issues. This may include referring you to a sleep center for a sleep study. 

Sleep studies help identify specific sleep disorders and guide the development of an effective treatment plan. Based on the results of your evaluation, Dr. Ravitz works closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan. 

While everyone’s treatment varies, your personalized sleep disorder plan may include:

• Lifestyle modifications and personalized recommendations
• Medications to manage symptoms or address underlying issues
• Sleep-promoting therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Daytime sleepiness can significantly affect your quality of life, but you don’t have to manage your symptoms alone. Schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment at Modern Migraine MD for personalized help.