Expert answer:
The best thing to do in case of excessive sleep is to seek medical advice sleep medicine, since excessive drowsiness can have several causes and you need to diagnose and treat them properly.
Some causes of excessive sleep during the day:
- Sleeping less than necessary: Most people need to sleep 7 to 8 hours a night to feel good the next day;
- Poor sleep quality: Noise, high temperature, inadequate mattress, anxiety, stress, clarity, are some factors that do not allow restorative sleep;
- Anemia: Decreased hemoglobin in the blood reduces oxygenation of the brain, making the person sleepy;
- Sleep apnea: The passage of air through the throat is obstructed, forcing a greater respiratory effort that impairs the quality of sleep;
- Narcolepsy: It is characterized mainly by an irresistible urge to sleep during the day, among other symptoms (learn more in: What is narcolepsy and what are the symptoms?).
There are also other causes of excessive sleep, such as medications, changes in the biological clock, idiopathic hypersomnia, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movements, among others. Hence the importance of looking for a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders.
Learn more at: What is Restless Leg Syndrome?
