Why do I feel sleepy all day?

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Why do I feel sleepy all day?

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) is not only the result of insufficient rest, but can also be caused by underlying health factors such as sleep disorders, chronic diseases, or malnutrition. This condition can affect work performance, mood, and overall health, and may be a sign of a medical condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated.

Causes of all-day drowsiness

1. Poor Sleep Hygiene

  • Going to bed at irregular times and waking up at irregular times
  • Using your phone or electronic device before bed
  • Improper sleeping environment, such as loud noises or a bedroom that is not completely dark.

2. Sleep Disorders

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): A condition in which the airway is blocked during sleep, depriving the body of oxygen, causing periodic awakenings without warning, resulting in feeling sleepy even after getting enough sleep (Ref: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2019)
  • Chronic Insomnia: This causes the body to not get quality rest.
  • Narcolepsy: The nervous system is unable to regulate the sleep cycle, causing the body to enter an abnormally deep sleep state.
  • Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS): causes the legs to move or jerk while sleeping, resulting in poor quality sleep.

3. Chronic diseases associated with fatigue and drowsiness

4. Nutrient Deficiencies

  • Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Affects energy production and brain function.
  • Magnesium and potassium deficiency: causes fatigue and muscle weakness.
  • Decreased NAD+ levels: NAD+ is a coenzyme that is essential for cellular energy production. Low levels can cause feelings of fatigue and lack of energy (Ref: Chini et al., Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 2021).