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What Causes Sudden Episodes Of Drowsiness?
Question: Why is it that sometimes I am suddenly overtaken by a strangely powerful sleepiness. When it happens one minute I am fine and then almost instantly my eyes close against my will and I start to go asleep wherever I am. Sights and sounds of the world around me become muffled and distant and my stream of thoughts stops,
I begin to feel dreamy. The whole thing lasts 30 to 40 minutes then passes off. It happens in runs of most afternoons for a week or two and the not again for a few months. It isnt linked to me sleeping poorly and I do not drink alchohol at all or use any drugs.
I begin to feel dreamy. The whole thing lasts 30 to 40 minutes then passes off. It happens in runs of most afternoons for a week or two and the not again for a few months. It isnt linked to me sleeping poorly and I do not drink alchohol at all or use any drugs.
Brief Answer:
it cannbe either narcolepsy or epilepsy. please meet your doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to health care magic!
I have read your query and can see that you have a problem of excessive sleepiness attacks that come without willingness and catch you unprepared. They last for half an hour almost and may come after 7-30 days.
I think there are two possibilities for this-
1. Narcolepsy- where there is a sudden attack of sleep accompanying weakness in all body and patient can almost fall if he dosent lie down within few minutes. This is followed by deep sleep and perosn gets up on his won after 1/2-1 hour. But even after getting up he may not feel refreshed. These attacks do have a relation with hectic schedule or stressful time and they increase in such periods.
2. Epilepsy- This can be purely a seizure disorder. It will be diagnosed by an EEG and MRI scan. In such cases an antiepileptic is the line of treatment.
So, I think you must meet your GP and discuss the above situation and possibilities and seek treatment. I dont think it is advisable to ignore this symptoms.
I hope the reply is useful for you.
Wish you good health!
Feel free to ask more queries for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
it cannbe either narcolepsy or epilepsy. please meet your doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to health care magic!
I have read your query and can see that you have a problem of excessive sleepiness attacks that come without willingness and catch you unprepared. They last for half an hour almost and may come after 7-30 days.
I think there are two possibilities for this-
1. Narcolepsy- where there is a sudden attack of sleep accompanying weakness in all body and patient can almost fall if he dosent lie down within few minutes. This is followed by deep sleep and perosn gets up on his won after 1/2-1 hour. But even after getting up he may not feel refreshed. These attacks do have a relation with hectic schedule or stressful time and they increase in such periods.
2. Epilepsy- This can be purely a seizure disorder. It will be diagnosed by an EEG and MRI scan. In such cases an antiepileptic is the line of treatment.
So, I think you must meet your GP and discuss the above situation and possibilities and seek treatment. I dont think it is advisable to ignore this symptoms.
I hope the reply is useful for you.
Wish you good health!
Feel free to ask more queries for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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