Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Overview

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Learn About Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

What is the definition of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness?
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is defined as feeling sleepy or having difficulty staying awake or alert during the day combined with an extreme desire to sleep that occurs nearly every day for at least three months. Excessive daytime sleepiness may be caused by a sleep disorder, such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, or narcolepsy; restless leg syndrome; periodic limb movement disorder; circadian rhythm disorders; mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia; Parkinson’s disease; cancer; chronic pain; or other conditions, such as epilepsy; obesity; substance abuse; multiple sclerosis; voluntary or chronic sleep deprivation; an inherited genetic predisposition; smoking; lack of exercise; or the use of medications, such as melatonin and sleeping pills. Excessive daytime sleepiness can be a dangerous condition that has contributed to serious accidents and major catastrophes.
What are the symptoms of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness?
Symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness may be stronger when sitting still, such as while driving or at work, and can range from mild to severe drowsiness to extreme sleepiness. Other symptoms include feeling irritated, an inability to stay alert, a lack of focus, slow reaction times, risk-taking behaviors, difficulty making decisions, memory problems, and difficulty remembering or learning. Excessive daytime sleepiness can also result in mood and emotional dysregulation, cognitive impairment, social and relationship problems, decreased work productivity or academic performance, increased work and car accidents, a decreased quality of life, a risk of falls, and an increased risk of developing obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, and may contribute to early death.
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What are the current treatments for Excessive Daytime Sleepiness?
Treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness depends on its underlying cause and includes stimulants, such as amphetamines; sleep hygiene; cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device to treat obstructive sleep apnea; upper airway surgery; and weight management.
Who are the top Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Local Doctors?
Yves A. Dauvilliers
Elite in Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Yves A. Dauvilliers
Elite in Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Yves A. Dauvilliers
Montpellier, FR 

Yves Dauvilliers practices in Montpellier, France. Mr. Dauvilliers is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness. His top areas of expertise are Narcolepsy, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Drowsiness, Idiopathic Hypersomnia, and Osteotomy.

Michael J. Thorpy
Elite in Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Dr. Michael J. Thorpy
Neurology
Elite in Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Dr. Michael J. Thorpy
Neurology

Montefiore At 3411 Wayne Avenue

3411 Wayne Avenue, 
Bronx, NY 
718-920-4841
Languages Spoken:
English
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Offers Telehealth

Michael J. Thorpy, MD, is Director, Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore and Professor of Neurology at our Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His clinical focus is on the clinical diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of all sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia and restless legs syndrome, among others. Dr. Thorpy is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness. His top areas of expertise are Narcolepsy, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Idiopathic Hypersomnia, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

 
 
 
 
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Susan S. Redline
Elite in Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Dr. Susan S. Redline
Pulmonary Medicine
Elite in Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Dr. Susan S. Redline
Pulmonary Medicine
11100 Euclid Ave, 
Cleveland, OH 
216-844-8500
Languages Spoken:
English
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Accepting New Patients

Susan Redline is a Pulmonary Medicine provider in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Redline is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness. Her top areas of expertise are Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Cerebral Hypoxia, Central Sleep Apnea, and Adenoidectomy. Dr. Redline is currently accepting new patients.

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What are the latest Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Clinical Trials?
A Phase 2a, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study of the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of ORX750 in Subjects With Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia (CRYSTAL-1)
A Phase 2a, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study of the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of ORX750 in Subjects With Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia (CRYSTAL-1)
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: October 09, 2025
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Phase: Phase 2

Summary: Narcolepsy Type 1 (NT1), Narcolepsy Type 2 (NT2), and Idiopathic Hypersomnia (IH) are rare conditions that make people feel very sleepy during the day (often referred to as excessive daytime sleepiness \[EDS\]). People living with these conditions might find it hard to stay alert and pay attention when they are at school, working, driving, or performing other daily activities. While all conditions...

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A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled, Efficacy and Safety Study of Pitolisant Followed by an Open-Label Extension in Patients With Prader-Willi Syndrome
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled, Efficacy and Safety Study of Pitolisant Followed by an Open-Label Extension in Patients With Prader-Willi Syndrome
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: September 30, 2025
Intervention Type: Other, Drug
Study Phase: Phase 3

Summary: This is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, global clinical study to assess the efficacy and safety of pitolisant in patients living with Prader-Willi syndrome. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of pitolisant in treating excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in patients ≥6 years of age with Prader-Willi syndrome. Secondary objectives inc...

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