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Daytime sleepiness is a phenomenon that should not be underestimated and that can often compromise well-being, health and a quiet everyday life: the causes are many and a correct diagnosis is important to effectively intervene against this annoying disorder.
Daytime sleepiness, the causes
During the day the need and the feeling of having to sleep is frequent for many. Often this happens suddenly and can disrupt the daily activities that are taking place. However, it is very important to understand and know the causes of this sleepiness, which can often be traced back to pathologies that must not be neglected and, indeed, must be treated in the best possible way to protect one’s well-being and the general health of the organism.
One cause of daytime sleepiness could be chronic fatigue syndrome, a disease that mainly affects women after the age of thirty.
In this case, daytime sleepiness could be associated with other symptoms that can be useful in identifying the onset of this syndrome: muscle aches, headaches and memory problems are some of them.
Also taking certain medications can cause daytime sleepiness: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (otherwise known as NSAIDs), some types of antihistamines called ‘first generation’, dopamine-containing products and some types of psychotropic drugs.
Even the diabetes it could lead to tiredness and daytime sleepiness, a symptom associated with itching and frequent urination. So are the pathologies related to thyroid dysfunction such as hypothyroidism, which cause drowsiness during the day as well as a number of other symptoms such as weight gain or hormonal imbalances.
Daytime sleepiness, causes: the importance of diagnosis
A precise and timely diagnosis made through a series of checks and tests aimed at ascertaining the causes of this phenomenon is essential in cases of daytime sleepiness. Indeed it is good to distinguish daytime sleepiness caused by pathologies or by taking certain drugs from occasional and end in itself. Daytime sleepiness caused by having a sleepless night, stress, jet lag or circadian sleep rhythm disturbance (caused by fatigue in falling asleep, interrupted sleep or the quality of sleep itself) is in fact harmless and if it’s an occasional phenomenon you don’t have to worry too much.
Daytime sleepiness, causes: how to fight it
In the event that daytime sleepiness is not caused by illness or by taking drugs but is an occasional fact, there are methods and remedies that can help fight or cushion it. First of all you have to take care of the quality of your sleep trying to go to bed early (but not immediately after dinner) and making sure we have the right mattress and pillow for our needs. It is also important, in order to rest well at night and thus avoid daytime sleepiness, do without smartphones and digital devices before going to sleep. Sports activity and a correct and balanced diet can also be good allies against daytime fatigue, in addition to some natural remedies like ginseng, green tea but also propolis and royal jelly.
