Treatment for Excessive Sleepiness

The term "excessive sleepiness during the day" (EDS) refers to the habit of falling asleep in the daytime. in the time one is supposed to remain awake. EDS can affect the ability to concentrate, alertness as well as general health. The health issue can affect as high as 18 per cent of the U.S. population. EDS doesn't cause sleep problems in its own right; rather it is a sign of sleep-related disorders.

What Are Common Causes of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness?

Sleep disorders like the following can result in excessive daytime sleepiness

• Sleep Apnea and other breathing disorders that are related to sleep.

• Narcolepsy and without or with cataplexy

• Disorders of sleep, particularly in adolescents.

• Circadian rhythm disorders like delayed sleep phase

• Leg restlessness syndrome (RLS) and periodic disorder of limb movement

• Sleeping insufficiently

Some psychiatric disorders--especially those that affect mood (anxiety, depression) or psychosis (schizophrenia) --can also impact sleep and can cause EDS. Heart failure kidney failure, liver problems, obesity and other medical problems may cause EDS. Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and stroke, as well as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy can impact EDS.

Other reasons for EDS include poor quality of sleep, excessive consumption of caffeine and other stimulants as well as chronic alcohol and drug usage, and inadequate sleep. The lack of sleep that causes EDS is usually a result of disturbed sleep patterns similar to those that are due to jet lag, or shift work.

Sleep Hygiene and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

One broad, non-pharmacologic action that everyone with EDS can consider is improving their sleep hygiene. Good sleep hygiene can help reduce the impact of sleep-related disorders and improve overall health and well-being. To improve your sleep hygiene:

• Be sure that the bedroom is cool, dark, and peaceful

• Make use of the bed only to sleep and sex

• Keep exercising regularly during the daytime hours.

• Reduce your consumption of alcohol caffeine or other drugs.

• Create a regular and peaceful time to sleep, free of electronic devices that emit bright light that contains blue wavelengths

• If you're unable to fall asleep after just 20 minutes asleep, step-up from bed and engage in an activity that is quiet and relaxing until you're tired

What Are the Treatments for Sleep Disorders That Make You Sleep a Lot During the Day?

Other treatment options for EDS are based on the root condition. Talk to your physician to pinpoint the root of your EDS instead of making assumptions. When the underlying causes or disorders are treated, often using various treatments, daytime sleepiness will improve.

In the treatment of EDS Doctors typically recognize any or all of these conditions and suggest the appropriate treatment options:

• Sleep Apnea. The most popular method for treating sleep apnea of all severity can be the use of positive airway pressure (PAP) 6. This can be applied via the mouth, nose, or both, using an apparatus, like a constant (CPAP) or bilevel (BPAP) machine.

• Narcolepsy is controlled through the use of behavioural therapy, short naps and good sleeping habits. Sleep-promoting drugs, such as modafinil, when used in conjunction with sodium oxybate can be utilized to assist to stay awake during the daytime.

• Insomnia treatments differ. In both adult and adolescent patients Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is usually the first option for treatment. The use of drugs is a second and short-term therapy that is followed in conjunction with CBT. The prescribed medications for insomnia are benzodiazepines, antidepressants that are atypical, anxiolytics, and Melatonin.

• Circadian rhythm problems that affect sleep, for instance, phase deficiency in adolescents can be treated using the use treatment with light in the early morning and melatonin during the evening. Be aware that for adolescents, prescriptions for melatonin could need to be written off the label. Other forms of circadian rhythm problems due to jet lag and shift work can be addressed by altering the sleeping schedule before travelling and scheduling nap time.

• The restless leg syndrome treatment options along with proper sleep hygiene, include the replacement of iron that has been identified as deficient, as well as other medications, pneumatic pressure therapy 7 as well as regular exercises.

What Treatments Are Available For People Who Have Too Much Sleep?

There are many treatments available to patients suffering from excessive sleepiness, they are usually suggested along with other kinds of therapies, treatments and behaviour changes. The following are the most commonly prescribed drugs for people suffering from EDS:

• Modafinil(Provigil) uses to combat excessive sleepiness in people suffering from narcolepsy and to treat the recurrence of sleepiness in situations that suffer from sleep apnea. The drug is believed to affect the sleep-wake centres of the brain. The most frequent result is a headache. The more serious effects could result in the onset of insomnia or nervousness, but they are not common.

• Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is like modafinil in the sense that it's a wake-promoting agent which is used to treat insomnia in patients suffering from sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or both. 8.. The most common side effects are nausea and dizziness. The more serious side effects are difficulty swallowing or breathing and depression. It can also cause mental illness.

• Sodium Oxybate (Xyrem) has been used in the treatment of narcolepsy. It enhances the sleep slow-wave phase, and through mechanisms that are not yet fully understood, increases daytime alertness. The drug reduces interruptions to sleep at night. Some side effects include confusion or depression.

• Methylphenidate (Daytrana, Quillivant Ritalin, XR) is a stimulant that is used to treat the condition of narcolepsy 9. and improve alertness. The drug is prescribed for those who suffer from ADHD. Some people may be prone to nervousness, irritability or having trouble sleeping late at night.

• Benzodiazepine receptor antagonists(Lunesta, Sonata, Ambien) are hypnotics that assist in achieving sleep at night. 10,. The improvement of the quality and quantity of rest at night can assist in reducing EDS. Dependency or loss of effectiveness withdrawal symptoms, and overdose are some of the dangers associated with this type of drug.

• Melatonin is a hormone that the body naturally releases during the time before the time of bed. People with problems with their circadian rhythms benefit from taking melatonin supplementation prior to going to bed to allow them to fall asleep and awake in time. Melatonin is sold over-the-counter within the United States.

Check with your doctor before beginning and stopping any drug. Make sure they are aware of your medical history that including allergies, as well as mental and physical health conditions. Also, let them know of any other medication including herbal supplements, or other prescription medications you are taking in case they interfere with the prescribed medication.

If you are given an order to treat nighttime sleepiness, be sure to adhere to the instructions given by your doctor and pharmacist. Avoid all activities that could be dangerous like driving until you are confident about your medication's effects on you.

Be aware that these medicines can come with a myriad of side negative effects. Note any adverse effects you notice and notify your doctor. In the event of a medical emergency, you should seek medical help right away.

Do Supplements and "Wake Up Pills" Have Any Effect?

There are a few prescription-only caffeine supplements that are designed to assist people "wake up," and with a dose of 200 mg, they typically have at least as much caffeine as the equivalent of a morning cup of coffee 11. Although these supplements could boost your energy, however, they may also cause negative effects like headaches, jitteriness, and a higher heart rate. In addition, excessive caffeine can alter your circadian rhythm, which makes the process of sleeping more difficult. In addition, as one gets dependent on caffeine, it is less effective in providing alertness.

Some people choose to use herbal supplements to help get better sleep. The most popular choices are chamomile lavender and Kava. But, very little research has been done regarding these supplements and there is no evidence that suggests their positive effects on sleep.

For instance, chamomile doesn't seem to aid people suffering from insomnia, but it could aid in enhancing the sleep quality of those with no sleep problems. 12-. Kava is a remedy to alleviate anxiety However, there's not enough research about its effects on sleep. Kava use can increase the risk of liver injuries.

In the end, it's more beneficial to concentrate on sleep quality and quantity every time you can rather than relying solely on supplements and pills. A regular routine and a healthy sleep routine will be the most effective and will not cause negative long-term effects.