When people take them, says Simpkins, "they really complain. Some say that they feel like they have the flu. Beta blockers inhibit the production of adrenaline, a hormone that causes your heart to beat rapidly. By slowing your heart rate, they lower the force of the blood pounding on your artery walls aka your blood pressure. But having less adrenaline can also zap your energy level. One beta blocker, Inderal, is particularly fatiguing, says Simpkins. The fix? If that doesn't do the trick—or your blood pressure isn't being well-controlled with the lower dose—ask your doctor about switching to an ACE inhibitor, which works differently: ACE inhibitors dilate your vessels so that blood can flow through them more efficiently, and they shouldn't make you tired.
Benzodiazepines are among "the most widely prescribed medication in the world," says Simpkins. These drugs bind to a receptor in the brain that releases a chemical called GABA. When GABA is released, it signals the brain and body to relax, which can provide short-term relief to someone with intense anxiety. But it may also work a little too well, causing you to become drowsy or even fall asleep.
Xanax is the least sedating of the benzodiazepines, says Simpkins, and thanks to a short half-life, only works for a few hours. The most sedating drug in this class is Ativan, says Simpkins. It causes so much sleepiness that doctors typically prescribe it as a sleep aid for people whose anxious thoughts are keeping them awake.
If you need anti-anxiety medications at a time when you can't afford to be sleepy—perhaps you're prepping for an important work presentation rather than settling in for a long flight—Simpkins recommends experimenting: "I tell patients to take the lowest dose of Klonopin or Valium and cut it into quarters.
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Other medical conditions known to cause drowsiness include infectious mononucleosis mono and chronic fatigue syndrome CFS. Many medications, particularly antihistamines , tranquilizers, and sleeping pills , list drowsiness as a possible side effect.
These medications have a label that warns against driving or operating heavy machinery while using these drugs. Talk to your doctor if you experience prolonged drowsiness due to your medications.
They may prescribe an alternative or adjust your current dosage. Excessive drowsiness without a known cause can be a sign of a sleeping disorder. In obstructive sleep apnea , a blockage in your upper airways leads to snoring and pauses in your breathing throughout the night. This causes you to wake up frequently with a choking sound. In these cases, it may help to get plenty of rest and distract yourself. During your appointment, your doctor will try to identify the cause of your drowsiness by discussing the symptom with you.
They may ask you about how well you sleep and whether you wake up frequently in the night. They may also ask for specific details, such as if you actually fall asleep during the day and whether you wake up feeling refreshed. If the doctor suspects that the cause is psychological, they may refer you to a counselor or therapist to help you find a solution.
Your doctor may swap the medication for a different type or change your dosage until the drowsiness subsides. Never change your dosage or stop a prescription medication without first talking to your doctor.
If no cause for your drowsiness is apparent, you may need to undergo some tests. Most are usually noninvasive and painless. Your doctor could request any of the following:. If your doctor suspects that you may have obstructive sleep apnea, RLS, or another sleep disorder, they may schedule a sleep study test. Your blood pressure, heart rate, heart rhythm, breathing, oxygenation, brain waves, and certain body movements will be monitored throughout the night for any signs of a sleep disorder.
A regular amount of sleep each night can often prevent drowsiness. Most adults require about eight hours of sleep to feel fully refreshed.
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