Daytime sleepiness stems from insufficient sleep, poor sleep quality (sleep apnea, insomnia, RLS), lifestyle factors (shift work, caffeine, alcohol, screen time), medications (antihistamines, sedatives, some antidepressants), and underlying medical/mental health issues (depression, anxiety, thyroid problems, anemia, chronic pain, head injury). It's often caused by not getting enough sleep or having disrupted sleep, leading to tiredness even after hours in bed.
The most common causes of excessive daytime sleepiness are sleep deprivation, obstructive sleep apnea, and sedating medications.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A Rare Cause of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness | Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
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In part, it is physiological: Our normal circadian cycle dictates a period of sleepiness or decreased alertness in the afternoon. However, sleep disorders, medical disorders, stress, insufficient sleep or poor eating habits can also cause excessive sleepiness at this time.
Excessive daytime sleepiness is a warning sign that demands clinical attention.” Here are signs that it's time to speak with a primary care professional or sleep doctor about your sleep: Difficulty staying awake during daily activities, like work or commuting. Excessive snoring, choking, or gasping during sleep.
Vitamin B12 and folate perform several important functions in the body, including keeping the nervous system healthy. A deficiency in either of these vitamins can cause a wide range of problems, including: extreme tiredness. a lack of energy.
The most common causes of excessive sleepiness are sleep deprivation and disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia. Depression and other mental health conditions, certain medications, and medical conditions affecting the brain and body can cause daytime drowsiness as well.
The 3-2-1 bedtime method is a simple sleep hygiene strategy: stop eating 3 hours before bed, stop working 2 hours before bed, and stop using screens (phones, tablets, TVs) 1 hour before sleep, helping your body transition to rest by reducing stimulants and digestive load for better sleep quality. A more detailed version adds 10 hours (no caffeine) and 0 (no snoozing) for a 10-3-2-1-0 rule.
The koala is the animal that sleeps approximately 90% of the day (20-22 hours), a necessity due to its low-energy eucalyptus diet requiring intensive digestion, making it the ultimate champion of sleep in the animal kingdom, followed closely by sloths and bats.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia
Anaemia is where you have fewer red blood cells than normal or you have an abnormally low amount of a substance called haemoglobin in each red blood cell. General symptoms of anaemia may include: extreme tiredness (fatigue) lack of energy (lethargy)
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 helps make your DNA, produce red blood cells and protect your nervous system. “Red blood cells transport oxygen through your body,” explained Dr. Shah. “So, when you don't have enough B12 to produce red blood cells, oxygen doesn't get transported to your cells, which leaves you feeling tired.”
Symptoms include weak muscles, numbness, trouble walking, nausea, weight loss, irritability, fatigue, and increased heart rate.
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy may feel rested after waking but then feel very sleepy throughout much of the day.
Common options include modafinil and armodafinil for promoting wakefulness in narcolepsy and OSA. Traditional stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine salts are also used to boost dopamine and norepinephrine. For narcolepsy with cataplexy, sodium oxybate improves sleep quality and reduces daytime sleepiness.
Call for an appointment with a health care provider if resting, reducing stress, eating well and drinking plenty of fluids for two or more weeks hasn't helped your fatigue.
Our circadian rhythm functions by light and dark cycles and therefore an ideal sleep time is 10pm – 6am give or take ½ an hour either way so a full 8 hours of sleep is achieved each night. Even if you are retired or not working, this is an essential component of good sleeping habits.
In his piece, he revealed that through his years of research, he's found that rumination is the biggest thing that causes poor sleep. He says that being worried about something at night has affected his own ability to fall asleep.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, iron, and magnesium, are among the most common causes of unexplained fatigue.
The 40s and 50s
Both fluctuations can result in lower energy levels, feeling lethargic, and less muscle mass. Again, the 40s and 50s impact people differently, with some noticing fewer effects than others. However, during this stage, people will usually notice they're "getting old".
Fatigue red flags signal potentially serious issues beyond normal tiredness, including unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, night sweats, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headaches, confusion, or new neurological/joint problems alongside exhaustion. Other signs include fatigue worsening with activity, significant cognitive/mood changes, or lack of energy despite rest, suggesting conditions like infection, autoimmune disease, heart problems, cancer, or mental health issues, warranting prompt medical evaluation.
Individuals experiencing a deficiency often report feeling unusually tired or weak, even after adequate sleep. This symptom arises because a lack of B12 impairs the production of red blood cells, leading to fewer cells to transport oxygen throughout the body.
Here are 10 unexpected signs of a vitamin D deficiency that may surprise you.
Iron deficiency symptoms include extreme tiredness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, cold hands/feet, brittle nails, sore tongue, and cravings for non-food items (pica) like ice or dirt, with more severe cases causing rapid heartbeat or poor concentration, though mild cases might show no symptoms.