6. Side Effects of Medications: The Unexpected Culprit Behind Daytime Drowsiness
How many times have we popped a pill without thoroughly reading the label? What’s often overlooked is that various medications, including certain antihistamines and blood pressure drugs, can cause daytime sleepiness as a side effect. A key player in this realm is a class of medications known as benzodiazepines, often prescribed for anxiety or sleep issues.
It’s a bit of a chemical drama, actually. These medications interact with neurotransmitters in your brain, often to calm hyperactivity or induce sleep for therapeutic reasons. But as with any drama, there are twists. The effects can linger into the daytime, making you feel as though you’re wading through a foggy swamp.
Imagine you’re driving or operating heavy machinery. Here, even the tiniest lapse in focus can be catastrophic. Yet, many of us remain oblivious to how these medications influence our alertness. It’s an oversight that can have serious consequences, leading to accidents or impaired performance in activities requiring mental alertness. (6)
