Neurológia pre prax 2/2011
Excessive daytime sleepiness and its treatment
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is defined as the inability to stay awake and alert during the usual awake period of the day with unintended episodes of drowsiness and/or sleep. EDS increases the risk of accidents and errors and may also be a symptom of serious underlying disease. Diagnosis is based on patient history and paraclinical examinations, particularly polysomnography. If possible, the treatment of EDS consists in removing the cause. When causal treatment is not possible or sufficiently effective, it is advisable to use psychostimulants. Most psychostimulants enhance the activity of the adrenergic system in the CNS.
Keywords: psychostimulants, excessive daytime sleepiness, narcolepsy.
