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What Causes Excessive Sleepiness?
Question: My husband, who is 85, has been nodding off to sleep....i.e. while sitting at the table eating, I will notice
him, with his eyes closed as if he is asleep. When I speak to him, he will 'awaken' and continue on with what he was doing. Or if he is watching television, or reading or sitting in the car as a passenger, this will happen. He says, Oh, I'm just resting my eyes.... Could this be a sign of a XXXXXXX stroke or something else.
him, with his eyes closed as if he is asleep. When I speak to him, he will 'awaken' and continue on with what he was doing. Or if he is watching television, or reading or sitting in the car as a passenger, this will happen. He says, Oh, I'm just resting my eyes.... Could this be a sign of a XXXXXXX stroke or something else.
Brief Answer:
? Suspected narcolepsy
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like to assist you in finding answers to your queries and also help guide your husband to good health.
I would like to start by asking if your husband gets a good amount of shuteye during the nights? Does he stay awake or is disturbed during the nights, due to which he compensates for it during the day?
The symptom described by you in your query is not a sign of a mini-stroke, but if considered abnormal; i.e. if your husband finds it difficult to stay awake throughout the day (morning or night), finding it difficult to regulate his sleep cycle, this could be a sign of a condition called narcolepsy.
The causes for narcolepsy have been discussed over the years, but the most accurate theory has yet to be discussed. If at all you feel that he is indeed struggling with his sleep cycle then I would recommend you to take him to a doctor and get the following investigations conducted:
-Polysomnogram
-Hypocretin levels: Hypocretin is a chemical in the brain that regulates the sleep cycle, and is found to be low in individuals with narcolepsy
-Please also discuss his sleep history and record his sleep timings
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative ma'am. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
? Suspected narcolepsy
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like to assist you in finding answers to your queries and also help guide your husband to good health.
I would like to start by asking if your husband gets a good amount of shuteye during the nights? Does he stay awake or is disturbed during the nights, due to which he compensates for it during the day?
The symptom described by you in your query is not a sign of a mini-stroke, but if considered abnormal; i.e. if your husband finds it difficult to stay awake throughout the day (morning or night), finding it difficult to regulate his sleep cycle, this could be a sign of a condition called narcolepsy.
The causes for narcolepsy have been discussed over the years, but the most accurate theory has yet to be discussed. If at all you feel that he is indeed struggling with his sleep cycle then I would recommend you to take him to a doctor and get the following investigations conducted:
-Polysomnogram
-Hypocretin levels: Hypocretin is a chemical in the brain that regulates the sleep cycle, and is found to be low in individuals with narcolepsy
-Please also discuss his sleep history and record his sleep timings
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative ma'am. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
It could be narcolopsy; however, I have watched him all day and he "falls asleep'
many times in an hour. He doesn't remember going to sleep and several times he
has wakened and asked where he was...his eyes do not seem to be focusing. Tonight he fell forward out of his armchair, cutting his nose and bruising one knee. He didn't know what had happened. I asked him if he was dreaming and he answered No. If this continues, I am taking him into the hospital tomorrow.
XXXX
many times in an hour. He doesn't remember going to sleep and several times he
has wakened and asked where he was...his eyes do not seem to be focusing. Tonight he fell forward out of his armchair, cutting his nose and bruising one knee. He didn't know what had happened. I asked him if he was dreaming and he answered No. If this continues, I am taking him into the hospital tomorrow.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Please do not hesitate in doing so
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am.
This does indeed sound like narcolepsy or a few other variants of this (eg. Cataplexy, etc.). Please do not hesitate to take him to the hospital, and request for the investigations I listed in my previous reply.
I hope you are jotting down his sleep timings, please share this with his doctor. Narcolepsy can result in such frustrating events which is why it has to be addressed, even if it occurs in an individual who is at home and not involved in any activities requiring concentration.
I wish you and sir all the best, please do wrire back to me about your discussion with hos doctor and the advised treatment and diagnosis. I would be obliged to assist you further ma'am.
My best wishes are with both of you,
God bless.
Please do not hesitate in doing so
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am.
This does indeed sound like narcolepsy or a few other variants of this (eg. Cataplexy, etc.). Please do not hesitate to take him to the hospital, and request for the investigations I listed in my previous reply.
I hope you are jotting down his sleep timings, please share this with his doctor. Narcolepsy can result in such frustrating events which is why it has to be addressed, even if it occurs in an individual who is at home and not involved in any activities requiring concentration.
I wish you and sir all the best, please do wrire back to me about your discussion with hos doctor and the advised treatment and diagnosis. I would be obliged to assist you further ma'am.
My best wishes are with both of you,
God bless.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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