Excessive Sleepiness: Overview



Excessive sleepiness becomes a problem when the person cannot stay awake and alert long enough to complete daily tasks. Sleep occurs during the day.

Excessive sleepiness is different from fatigue or physical tiredness. Excessive sleepiness may increase the risk of car, work, or home accidents. It may also cause poor school or work performance.

Memory problems and changes in behavior can also occur.

 

This information has been approved by Teofilo Lee-Chiong, Jr, MD (September 2009).
More Excessive Sleepiness Information

Back to Sleep Disorders


1-800-222-5864
Refer a Patient

Donate Now

The Sleep Center

The Sleep Center at National Jewish Health is the oldest and most comprehensive sleep medicine program in the Denver region.

Learn more.

Sleepiness Scale

Sleeping woman Are you sleepy all the time? Use the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to measure your daytime sleepiness.

Sleepiness Scale