People who are excessively sleepy during the day often say, "I don't have a sleep problem. My problem is that I can't stay awake." They fall asleep in quiet situations such as sitting at their desk, reading a newspaper or driving a car. The cause may be as simple as not getting enough sleep. Several sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, can cause people to be drowsy or to fall asleep unintentionally during the day.
Persons with narcolepsy fall asleep during the day despite getting enough sleep at night. They often experience uncontrollable urges to sleep. Those affected by narcolepsy may also have muscular weakness when surprised, angry or amused. Symptoms of narcolepsy usually become apparent during young adulthood.
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