Everyone feels tired after a short night. But if you’re exhausted most days, even when you spend seven or eight hours in bed, something may be getting in the way of good-quality sleep. Excessive daytime sleepiness is one of the most common reasons people visit a sleep specialist. Here are seven common causes.
1. Obstructive sleep apnea
Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Each pause briefly disturbs your sleep, often without you realizing it, so you wake up unrefreshed. Loud snoring and gasping are common clues.
2. Not enough sleep
It sounds obvious, but many adults regularly get less sleep than they need. Late nights, early alarms and screens in bed add up over time.
3. Insomnia
Trouble falling or staying asleep can leave you running on empty. When it lasts for months, it’s called chronic insomnia, and it’s very treatable.
4. Restless legs syndrome and limb movements
An uncomfortable urge to move your legs in the evening, or leg movements during sleep, can break up your sleep. Learn more about restless legs syndrome.
5. Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that causes overwhelming daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep episodes. It often starts in the teens or twenties and is frequently missed for years.
6. Shift work and irregular schedules
Working nights or rotating shifts can throw off your body clock. If you work nights, our guide to shift work sleep disorder has practical tips.
7. Medical conditions and medications
Thyroid problems, anemia, depression, chronic pain and some medications can all cause fatigue. Your primary care doctor can help check for these.
Warning signs to take seriously
Talk to your doctor soon if you:
- Fall asleep while driving or nearly do
- Doze off during conversations, meetings or meals
- Need several cups of coffee just to get through the day
- Have been told you snore loudly or stop breathing at night
How a sleep study helps
A sleep study measures what’s happening in your body overnight, including breathing, oxygen levels, brain activity and leg movements. Sometimes a daytime nap study is added to check for narcolepsy. The results help a sleep physician find the cause of your sleepiness so you can treat it rather than just push through it.
Book a sleep study in Deerfield Beach
Ready to get answers and better sleep? Call 1-800-481-3870 or request an appointment online. International Institute of Sleep is headquartered at 2151 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Suite 100, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442, and serves patients throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms, and don’t stop or change a prescribed treatment without their guidance.
