Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the hallmark symptom of narcolepsy. People with EDS feel tired and unfocused throughout the day, even if they sleep for a long time at night. Napping may temporarily ease symptoms of EDS, but people with narcolepsy can’t control when and where they fall asleep. These sudden “sleep attacks” can make it dangerous to drive, cook, and perform other daily tasks.

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

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What Is Excessive Daytime Sleepiness?

Excessive daytime sleepiness occurs when you have trouble staying alert or awake during the day. EDS differs from standard tiredness, drowsiness, or fatigue. While those symptoms may make you want to sleep, people with EDS actually need to go to sleep. Keep in mind, though, that it’s possible to have both fatigue and EDS at the same time.

EDS may come with other symptoms such as memory problems, irritability, slowed reaction time, and risky behavior.

People with EDS and narcolepsy may nap or fall asleep unexpectedly during the day. These symptoms can appear even if you’ve had a long and restful night’s sleep.

Some people with EDS and narcolepsy also experience the following symptoms:

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

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and haven’t been diagnosed with EDS or narcolepsy, consider speaking with a healthcare provider.

7 Tips for Improving EDS With Narcolepsy

There’s no cure for narcolepsy yet, but there are effective ways to get some relief from EDS. Your sleep specialist or another healthcare provider will create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your unique medical history. Here’s a closer look at common treatments and recommendations.

1. Ask Your Healthcare Provider About Medication

Up to 85 percent of people with narcolepsy and EDS see an improvement in symptoms while taking medication. Your healthcare provider may prescribe one or more types of medications designed to combat narcolepsy and EDS.

• Stimulants — Designed to increase nervous system activity to help you stay awake and alert, these include modafinil and methylphenidate hydrochloride.
• Oxybates — Oxybates can help you get better sleep at night so that you feel more alert during the day. There are many formats, including a once-nightly oral suspension.
• Histamine-3 receptor antagonists — Drugs in this class, including pitolisant, increase the amount of histamine produced in the brain to promote wakefulness.
• Dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (DNRIs) — These medications, especially solriamfetol, can help by regulating neurotransmitters associated with the sleep-wake cycle.

Many people with EDS see an improvement in symptoms while taking prescribed narcolepsy medication.

It may take some trial and error to find the medication, or combination of medications, that gives you the best symptom relief. You can also ask your doctor about new narcolepsy medications.

2. Improve Nighttime Sleep Quality

People with EDS and narcolepsy should be extra vigilant about practicing good sleep hygiene to get more rest. Try the following routine to increase your chances of getting a good night’s sleep.

3. Take Naps

People with narcolepsy may need to nap during the day to restore wakefulness and alertness. If possible, try to schedule naps to stay on top of your symptoms.

Some health specialists recommend napping for about 20 minutes around 2 p.m., but everyone’s needs are a little different. You may benefit from a longer nap, but beware that excessive napping can affect nighttime sleep quality. It can also be harder to wake up from a longer nap.

If you have other conditions like obstructive sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, getting these diagnosed and treated may help you get better rest.

One nap can provide several hours of relief, but it may be necessary to take multiple naps per day.

4. Treat Comorbid Conditions

Other health conditions can also cause or worsen EDS. Managing EDS may be easier if other health conditions are diagnosed and treated appropriately.

Consider getting screened and/or treated for sleep disorders like sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome or mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Your doctor may have other screening recommendations.

5. Review Current Medications With Your Doctor

EDS can be a side effect of certain medications, especially benzodiazepines, opiates, antipsychotics, and anti-seizure medications. Conversely, other medications have potential side effects that can make it more difficult to get a good night’s sleep.

Make sure your doctor is aware of all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you take, along with any nutritional supplements. If any drugs are worsening your narcolepsy symptoms, your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternate medication that’s less likely to cause extreme sleepiness or sleep disturbances.

6. Ask for Help

It can be a lot easier to manage narcolepsy and EDS when you have plenty of support.

Talk to your school or employer about accommodating your needs. Accommodations might include giving you the time and space to take several 20-minute naps throughout the day, scheduling activities or meetings around those naps, or avoiding irregular schedules or night shifts.

Because EDS can also make it difficult to focus, you may benefit from recording meetings or lectures, using AI notetakers, or taking frequent breaks. Some people feel more awake when they stand during meetings or use a standing desk.

Think about the kind of support you might need at home. Be open with friends, family members, and neighbors who can pitch in if you need help when EDS hits hard.

7. Stay Safe

EDS causes an overwhelming urge to sleep, and having narcolepsy means you sometimes fall asleep without warning. The unpredictability of dozing off can be dangerous for you, as well as those around you. This is especially risky during certain activities like caring for young children, driving a car, operating machinery, taking baths, or swimming.

To stay safe, you may need to avoid certain situations altogether or only engage in them when you’re not alone. For example, you might be able to bake a casserole as long as someone else in the house can remove it from the oven if you fall asleep.

Your healthcare provider can help you identify unsafe scenarios and management techniques. With the right medication and lifestyle changes, it’s possible to improve your quality of life.

Wondering if people with EDS can safely drive? Read about narcolepsy and driving.

Join the Conversation

On MyNarcolepsyTeam, people share their experience with narcolepsy, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

How has EDS affected your life? Have you found ways to manage your symptoms? Let others know in the comments below.