Sleepiness in the elderly is not necessarily terminal. Physiological causes and disease factors, such as respiratory illnesses, may lead to drowsiness in the elderly.
1. Physiological causes: If the elderly have performed a lot of labor during the day, they will experience drowsiness due to excessive fatigue. In addition, if the quality of sleep is not good recently, the elderly may also experience drowsiness during the day.
2. Disease factors
(1) Respiratory diseases: For example, if the patient suffers from sleep apnea syndrome, if the patient’s condition is more serious, the acquisition of oxygen is less, and carbon dioxide accumulates too much, daytime drowsiness may occur. This situation is more serious and should be consulted in time, which can be life-threatening in serious cases.
(2) Hypoglycemia: Elderly patients with diabetes may also experience drowsiness if hypoglycemia occurs due to improper use of medication, which may be life-threatening if not treated in time.
(3) Insufficient cerebral blood supply: the elderly due to cerebral arteriosclerosis resulting in ischemia and hypoxia of the brain tissue, the patient will appear daytime drowsiness. If it is treated in time and gradually improves, it may lead to ischemic stroke in severe cases.
Drowsiness in the elderly should be taken seriously and it is recommended to go to the internal medicine clinic of the hospital.