Excessive daytime sleepiness is manifested by a desire of involuntary sleep throughout the day, in a more or less controllable manner. This results in a subjective sense of lack of attention and need to fight to resist the urge to sleep, and to maintain a sufficient level of vigilance when performing various daily activities.
This is the main symptom of narcolepsy. Unlike insomnia, patients rarely complain of daytime sleepiness. However, significantly affects the quality of life, with a decline in academic performance and professional, and can have serious consequences.
This sleepiness is common in about 8% of the population. This condition is not without consequences, since 6% of those affected they recognize to have conducted with any dream time. However, two of every three drivers stopped the vehicle to rest. In any case, this symptom multiplies for eight the risk of accidents. Besides being a risk factor for serious accidents, excessive daytime sleepiness is a symptom revealing any sleep breathing problems, and particularly the nocturnal apneas.
Lack of sleep
In most cases, particularly in adolescents, this symptom is usually the result of an accumulation of sleep. A good way to check is to compare the number of hours of sleep in the work period, with the holidays.
Some tips
- Bedtime, and especially rising, with a regular schedule.
- No stimulants at the end of the day (caffeine, nicotine).
- Suppress alcohol intake. Although that could facilitate the induction of sleep, ends up disturbing throughout the night.
- Do not eat too much before bedtime.
- Exercise helps to improve the quality of sleep, but avoid doing an hour before bedtime.
- Minimize the temperature, light and noise.
- Choose a good bed, depending on personal preferences (mattress, pillow).
- Avoid television, work, or reading once you are in bed.