Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Sleepiness - Drowsiness
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
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Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Avoiding stress and overexertion, getting enough sleep, and eating a healthy diet can prevent many cases of drowsiness. Avoidance of alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness can avoid cases due to these causes. Maintaining a normal weight and avoiding obesity can sometimes prevent sleep apnea. Many causes cannot be prevented.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Drowsiness, when persistent, can limit a person's ability to work, go to school, and drive. Severely affected people may need to rest for most of the day. Other long-term effects depend on the cause. For instance, end-stage cancer often results in death. Cases due to a stroke may cause permanent drowsiness and other limitations from brain damage.
What are the risks to others?
Drowsiness is not contagious and poses no risk to others. However, if the cause is an infection, such as meningitis, the infection may be contagious.