Around 20% of older people experience excessive daytime sleepiness, which may be a sign of an underlying health condition rather than merely old age. Excessive daytime sleepiness in older adults may be a symptom of health issues like sleep apnea, cognitive impairment, or cardiovascular issues.

Which medical conditions cause excessive daytime sleepiness?

Chronic medical conditions and mental health disorders are often accompanied by daytime sleepiness. Common culprits include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, lupus, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, chronic pain, obesity¹⁴, and hypothyroidism, among others.

When should I be concerned about excessive sleepiness?

Excessive daytime sleepiness can have a major impact on the quality of your life. You may experience memory problems, difficulty concentrating, or reduced performance at work. Rather than live with constant fatigue, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the different ways to boost your energy.

Why does my 90 year old dad sleep all the time?

The Causes of Excessive Sleep Poor sleep quality at night. Side effects of medication. Emotional challenges like depression or anxiety. Lack of emotional stimulation leading to boredom.

What does excessive sleepiness indicate?

The most common causes of excessive sleepiness are sleep deprivation and disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia. Depression and other psychiatric problems, certain medications, and medical conditions affecting the brain and body can cause daytime drowsiness as well.

Why do I want to sleep all the time and have no energy?

In most cases, there’s a reason for the fatigue. It might be allergic rhinitis, anemia, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease (COPD), a bacterial or viral infection, or some other health condition. If that’s the case, then the long-term outlook is good.

Why do I feel sleepy no matter how much I sleep?

In short, hypersomnia is a chronic neurological condition that makes you tired no matter how much sleep you get. If you find yourself being tired throughout the day, even after a full night sleep, you may want to look into hypersomnia to learn the best way to improve your sleep.

What is it called when you sleep during the day and awake at night?

Hypersomnia, which refers to either excessive daytime sleepiness or excessive time spent sleeping, is a condition in which a person has trouble staying awake during the day.

Why am I so sleepy all day?

There are many possible causes for feeling chronically tired. It’s important to rule out medical conditions first, as fatigue often accompanies illness. However, feeling overly tired may be related to what you eat and drink, how much activity you get or the way you manage stress.

Can dehydration cause sleepiness?

That’s because your body needs to be properly hydrated to feel energized and function optimally. Here’s what happens when you’re dehydrated: As dehydration sets in, your blood pressure drops, leading to poor circulation and reduced blood flow to your brain. This causes feelings of sleepiness.

What does it mean when an elderly person sleeps all day?

Sleeping more and more is a common feature of later-stage dementia. As the disease progresses, the damage to a person’s brain becomes more extensive and they gradually become weaker and frailer over time.

What stage of dementia is sleeping all the time?

Sleeping excessively is a common feature of later-stage dementia. The reason for the excess sleepiness may be one of the following: As the disease progresses, the brain damage becomes more extensive, and the patient wants to just lie down.

How much should a 90 year old sleep?

Most healthy older adults age 65 or older need 7-8 hours of sleep each night to feel rested and alert. But as you age, your sleep patterns may change. These changes can cause insomnia, or trouble sleeping.