Lots of people like to grab a nap here and there to recharge. But if you’re falling asleep multiple times a day, you could be experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Also called hypersomnolence, a form of hypersomnia, EDS is the hallmark symptom of narcolepsy, and it can affect people without narcolepsy as well.

“My doctor said that I don’t have narcolepsy, although the testing showed I do have excessive daytime sleepiness,” one MyNarcolepsyTeam member wrote. Another said, “I suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness and no medication has helped me so far, which leaves me in bed a lot, sleeping.”

If you’ve been diagnosed with EDS or you think you might have it, read on to discover more about its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and more.

What Is Excessive Daytime Sleepiness?

Excessive daytime sleepiness occurs when you have trouble staying alert or awake during the day. Doctors define an excessive daytime sleepiness diagnosis in different ways. But in general, if someone repeatedly falls asleep unexpectedly or at unsuitable times every day for three months or more, they should be evaluated for EDS.

EDS differs from standard tiredness, drowsiness, or fatigue. While those symptoms may make someone want to sleep, people with EDS actually need to go to sleep. Keep in mind, though, that people can have both fatigue and EDS at the same time.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Symptoms

People with EDS may nap during the day or fall asleep unexpectedly during the daytime. They can have these symptoms even if they sleep well at night. Some people also experience:

• Irritability
• Memory issues
• Issues staying alert
• Difficulty focusing
• Decision-making problems
• Slow reaction times
• Risky behavior
• Trouble grasping new concepts

If you’re having any of these symptoms, consider speaking with a healthcare provider. They may choose to evaluate you for EDS.

What Causes Excessive Daytime Sleepiness?

EDS is typically a symptom of an underlying condition. It’s not usually a standalone diagnosis, although that may happen in some cases. EDS can result from a variety of conditions.

Sleep Disorders

People with sleep disorders may experience EDS as an effect of their primary condition. These include:

• Narcolepsy — A neurological disorder that makes it difficult for your brain to regulate your sleep-wake cycles
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — A condition caused by the throat muscles blocking airflow during sleep, which can cause your breathing to pause as you sleep
• Restless legs syndrome — A disorder that causes an urge to move your legs (and sometimes arms) and is typically more severe at night
• Insomnia — Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Jet lag and other circadian rhythm disorders — A disruption in your body’s internal clock that tells you when to sleep and wake up

Medical Conditions

• Neurological disorders — Conditions like Parkinson’s disease and dementia may cause EDS.
• Mental health diagnoses — Depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness.
• Metabolic issues — A diagnosis of diabetes, hypothyroidism, or other diseases affecting metabolism can lead to daytime sleepiness.

EDS can also be associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition that causes your sleep to be unrefreshing.

You may also experience EDS due to the side effects of drugs you’re taking. For instance, antihistamines, antidepressants, and some pain medications can make it difficult to stay awake during the day.

How Is Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Diagnosed?

If you think you may be experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, talk to your doctor. They’ll perform a physical exam and ask questions about your sleep and health history. They might also order blood tests to see if you have any other conditions that may be causing EDS.

Your doctor might also order or perform other tests to see what’s behind your excessive daytime sleepiness. For instance, a polysomnogram is a test that measures your brain waves, breathing, heart rate, and other markers as you sleep to evaluate whether you may have a sleep disorder. Polysomnography is also called a sleep study or sleep test. This test is usually performed in a sleep lab, but it is sometimes possible to conduct one at home.

A multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) is another type of sleep study that can help diagnose narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. An MSLT, also called a daytime nap study, measures daytime sleepiness. Another test, called actigraphy, is performed by wearing a monitor on your wrist like a watch. It’s used to measure your sleep-wake cycles. The data goes back to your doctor for analysis.

How Is Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Treated?

Your sleep specialist or other healthcare provider will create a treatment plan that’s tailored to the specific cause of your EDS. In many cases, treating the underlying condition will help you experience fewer EDS symptoms during the day.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Devices

If your EDS stems from obstructive sleep apnea, wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device at night may help you sleep better. This could allow you to be less sleepy during the day. These machines have a fitted mask that goes over your nose and mouth while you sleep. The mask emits pressurized air, which can help keep your airway open during the night.

Medications

Conditions like narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, diabetes, thyroid disorders, bipolar disorder, and Parkinson’s disease can be managed with medication. By controlling the symptoms of these diseases, you may also find that your EDS symptoms become less severe. Your doctor may also prescribe stimulants to help you stay awake during the day.

Lifestyle Changes

Getting enough rest at night may help improve your need to sleep during the day. It’s important to practice good sleep hygiene before bedtime to ensure that you sleep as well as possible in the evenings. This means adjusting your sleep habits to improve sleep quality. Good sleep hygiene may include:

• Waking up and going to bed at the same time every day
• Relaxing for at least 30 minutes before bed by listening to calming music or reading
• Avoiding bright lights at night before bed
• Keeping your bedroom cool at night
• Using a comfortable mattress, pillow, and bedding
• Keeping noise and light to a minimum around your bedroom

Sleep hygiene also extends to your daytime activities, which can promote wakefulness in the daytime so you sleep at night. You may be able to improve your circadian rhythm (internal clock) by getting lots of sunlight during the day (with appropriate sun hygiene like wearing sunscreen and a hat). Cut down on how much alcohol you drink, don’t smoke, and get plenty of exercise in the daytime.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help treat underlying conditions like depression and bipolar disorder, which can help reduce EDS symptoms. A specialized type of CBT called CBT-I is specifically designed to help treat insomnia. If you can treat insomnia and sleep better at night, you may find you’re less likely to fall asleep in the daytime.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Narcolepsy, and Safety

EDS causes an overwhelming urge to sleep. This excessive sleepiness makes concentration, focus, and daily activities difficult, if not impossible. The unpredictability of dozing off can be dangerous for you, as well as those around you. This is especially risky if you’re caring for young children, driving a car, or operating machinery.

See your doctor right away if you think you might have excessive daytime sleepiness, narcolepsy, or another sleep condition. They can help you control your symptoms and get back to having a stronger quality of life.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyNarcolepsyTeam is the social network for people with narcolepsy and their loved ones. On MyNarcolepsyTeam, more than 11,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with narcolepsy.

Did you have testing for excessive daytime sleepiness? What did your doctor say about the possible causes? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.