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Somnolence



Name of Symptom/Sign:
Somnolence
Classifications and external resources
ICD-10 R40.0
ICD-9 780.09

Somnolence (or "drowsiness") is a state of near-sleep, a strong desire for sleep, or sleeping for unusually long periods (c.f. hypersomnia). It has two distinct meanings, referring both to the usual state preceding falling asleep, and the chronic condition referring to being in that state independent of a circadian rhythm. The disorder characterized by the latter condition is most commonly associated with users of prescription hypnotics, such as mirtazapine or zolpidem.

It is considered a lesser impairment of consciousness than stupor or coma.

Hazards

Sleepiness can be dangerous when performing tasks that require constant concentration, such as driving a vehicle. When a person is sufficiently fatigued, he or she may experience microsleeps (loss of concentration).

Associated conditions

See also

Look up somnolence, drowsiness in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.


 
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Somnolence". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
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