Excessive Sleepiness

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Sleepiness is a biological function that is defined as the increase in the tendency to sleep. Excessive sleepiness is the abnormal increase in the likelihood of dozing off, falling asleep or having sleep attacks at times when the sleep is not desired. Excessive sleepiness is a condition that is characterized by persistent sleepiness and regularly a lack of energy even during the day after outwardly adequate or prolonged nighttime sleep. This condition is referred to as hypersomnia. Hypersomnia interferes with the daily activities of the victims. People who have hypersomnia always feel sleepy during the day. More so they tend to sleep longer than usual at night. This condition is also referred to as Somnolence or prolonged drowsiness. It is …show more content…

Nonetheless, researchers from the National Sleep foundation have broadened the range to seven to nine hours for the majority of the adults who are between 18 and 64 years. They consider it as the healthy and normal amount of sleep. Others argue that closer to seven hours is better researchers link seven hours of rest each day a longer life and a better health of the brain (Fadia, 2002). Most studies consider over nine hours of sleep as the excessive or long quantity of sleep for the adults. People who have this condition are involved in risks such as motor vehicle and work related accidents. They also have poorer health when compared to other people. The signs of hypersomnia are; excessive quantities of deep sleep, sleeping for a duration of 10 hours or more at a given time, excessive sleepiness that is not reduced by taking naps, and trouble with being awake during the day. Hypersomnia interferes with a person’s relationships and prevents them from enjoying the activities they take part in. Additionally, it makes management of daily activities and responsibilities at work a great challenge. Hypersomnia and fatigue are similar but they are not the same. Fatigue is the feeling one get when they are exhausted and lack of energy which is not relieved. Conversely, excessive daytime sleeping is not a sign of …show more content…

More so, numerous naps throughout the day reduce sleep during the night hence resulting in morning headaches. Sleep headaches are common amongst working professionals, students, and homemakers. The headaches are more like hangovers from alcohol and they do not go easily. Variations in the Rapid Eye Movement sleep cycle is among the reasons of sleep headaches. These headaches are mainly migraines or cluster headaches. Sleep headaches lead to conditions such as depression and sleep apnea. People in despair often sleep too much (Judd, 2010). A person who is sad, discouraged and a mind that is depressed is more likely to sleep for long duration because they find peace at that time. The low physical activity and moods results to pain in the neck, back, and head. Sleep apnea causes sleep headaches because one experiences difficulties in breathing. The pain is attributed to low oxygen levels that the individual experiences. Sleep headaches can be treated by ensuring that a person sleeps for approximately eight hours. Setting a fixed bed time helps one avoid oversleeping. Avoiding long naps in the afternoon and doing away with caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol before sleeping time can also help in managing the condition. Using clean and comfortable pillows, mattresses are essential for good sleep. Additionally, one should avoid using a laptop, eating food or watching television some hours

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