11. Daytime Sleepiness: The Unending Quest for Rest
For many with OSA, the battle for sleep isn’t confined to nighttime. Daytime sleepiness, an overwhelming sense of fatigue, and the constant need to nap can be debilitating. It’s not just about feeling “tired”; it’s an almost insurmountable heaviness that makes even simple tasks feel like climbing a mountain.
OSA causes sleep to be fragmented with frequent awakenings. Even if someone spends eight hours in bed, they might only get a fraction of that in restful, deep sleep. The body craves the rest it didn’t get at night, leading to an overpowering need to sleep during the day.
Daytime sleepiness isn’t just about feeling tired. It can be hazardous. Falling asleep at the wheel, for instance, can have fatal consequences. Decreased productivity at work, strained relationships due to irritability, and even accidents due to reduced attention span are all possible repercussions.
This symptom might be brushed off as laziness or a lack of motivation. Still, in the context of OSA, daytime sleepiness is a glaring red flag. Addressing this symptom is not just about improving quality of life but ensuring safety. (11)
