More than ordinary tiredness
Excessive daytime sleepiness describes difficulty staying alert or awake during the day despite an opportunity for adequate sleep. It can affect concentration, work, school, driving and daily safety.
Common sleep complaint
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Excessive daytime sleepiness can have many causes. Learn when persistent sleepiness may need specialist sleep assessment and how narcolepsy is investigated.
Medical information reviewed in the context of the Sleep Lab by Dr Omar Laraqui Hossini. This page is educational and does not replace an individual medical assessment.
There are many possible causes
Persistent sleepiness can be related to insufficient sleep, sleep-disordered breathing, circadian problems, medicines, other medical conditions or central disorders of hypersomnolence such as narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.
How the cause is investigated
Assessment starts with sleep history, schedule, symptoms and medicines. Depending on the situation, the sleep specialist may recommend overnight polysomnography, an MSLT or other investigations.
Do not self-diagnose narcolepsy
Daytime sleepiness alone does not confirm narcolepsy. A structured specialist assessment helps distinguish narcolepsy from other common and treatable causes of sleepiness.
Next step
Discuss your symptoms with a sleep specialist.
If you are concerned about narcolepsy, hypersomnia or persistent daytime sleepiness, you can begin with an online consultation. Testing in Casablanca is arranged only when clinically indicated.
Request an appointment
For emergencies or urgent symptoms, contact local emergency or medical services rather than using the online appointment form.