If you fall asleep all the time, you might have hypersomnia, a condition causing excessive daytime sleepiness, or a related sleep disorder like narcolepsy, often stemming from poor sleep habits, sleep apnea, medical issues (like thyroid problems, depression, diabetes), or medications, requiring a doctor's diagnosis to find the underlying cause and treatment.
Hypersomnia means excessive sleepiness. There are many different causes, the most common in our society being inadequate sleep. This may be due to shiftwork, family demands (such as a new baby), study or social life. Other causes include sleep disorders, medication, and medical and psychiatric illnesses.
an unhealthy lifestyle (such as having an unhealthy diet and not getting much exercise) stress, depression and dealing with life challenges, such as bereavement or looking after a new baby. hormonal changes (such as during puberty, pregnancy or the menopause) some illnesses, like glandular fever and COVID-19.
Narcolepsy is a condition that makes people very sleepy during the day and can cause them to fall asleep suddenly. Some people also have other symptoms, such as muscle weakness when they feel strong emotions. The symptoms can have serious effects on daily life.
You probably keep falling asleep when you sit down because you've got a lot of sleep debt or you're out of sync with your circadian rhythm. You may also be falling asleep when you sit down due to narcolepsy, sleep apnea, alcohol, anxiety, depression, or medical conditions like diabetes and anemia.
Many cases of tiredness are due to stress, not enough sleep, poor diet and other lifestyle factors. Try these self-help tips to restore your energy levels. If you feel you're suffering from fatigue, which is an overwhelming tiredness that isn't relieved by rest and sleep, you may have an underlying medical condition.
How to stay awake naturally
Narcolepsy symptoms usually first occur between age 15 and 30 years. Below are the most common symptoms. You may feel a strong urge to sleep, often followed by a period of sleep. You can't control when you fall asleep.
As people age, their sleep architecture changes. Older adults spend less time in deep sleep stages and often wake up more frequently during the night. This disruption can lead to daytime drowsiness and falling asleep inappropriately, such as while sitting. A lack of physical activity is another contributing factor.
This can occur due to various factors, including your body's natural response to reduced physical activity, poor sleep quality despite adequate hours, or underlying sleep disorders. The quiet, focused nature of these activities can also trigger your body's natural rest response.
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.
Symptoms of fatigue
Vitamin B12 deficiency: a rare cause of excessive daytime sleepiness. J Clin Sleep Med. 2019;15(9):1365–1367.
Hypersomnia can affect your ability to go to school or work. It can make it hard to maintain relationships with loved ones. You'll also have a higher risk of accidents and injuries. Talk to a healthcare provider if you feel tired all the time or feel like you can't control when you fall asleep.
B Complex Vitamins
Especially since taking one before bed can keep you awake. There are eight B vitamins in all, which also go by the names of thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) and cobalamin (B12).
Diabetes can make you feel very tired. This is called fatigue. It happens because high blood sugar disrupts the body's ability to use sugar for energy. Dehydration from increased urination also can leave you feeling tired.
Sleeping more and more is a common feature of later-stage dementia.
Typically when we're reading, we do it in a comfortable position – sitting or lying down – in a quiet place, and often at the end of the day or after more energetic activities, all of which contributes to a state of relaxation and sleepiness.
They are likely to spend more time sleeping, and will often be drowsy even when they are awake. They may also drift in and out of consciousness. Some people become completely unconscious for periods of time before they die - this could be for a short period or as long as several days.
Narcolepsy in pediatric patients is often misdiagnosed as a more common medical condition, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, depression, syncope, or other sleep disorders.
The five key signs of narcolepsy, often remembered by the acronym CHESS, are Cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness), Hallucinations (vivid dream-like images), Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS), Sleep Paralysis (inability to move when falling asleep or waking), and Sleep Disruption (fragmented nighttime sleep). These symptoms reflect a disruption between wakefulness and REM sleep, with elements of sleep intruding into the waking state.
Possible triggers
The unhealthiest sleeping position is generally considered to be sleeping on your stomach (prone position), as it forces your neck to twist and flattens the natural curve of your spine, leading to neck, back, and shoulder pain, numbness, and poor sleep quality. An overly curled fetal position is also harmful, causing joint stiffness and restricted breathing, while sleeping on your back can worsen snoring and sleep apnea for some individuals.
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.