DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 59-year-old female who has always worked. I am at a desk on the computer most of the day. We don’t get scheduled breaks so I never take them but I do take my hour lunch time. At 2:30 every day I cannot keep my eyes open. I want to close them so badly and sometimes I will and can immediately doze off.
I take a multi-vitamin every day and fish oil and have no medical problems. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.
DEAR READER: There are numerous causes for daytime fatigue so because of your brief note, I can only generalize as to why you are ready for a daily nap.
Do you work five days a week and if so, do you experience fatigue on your days off? Repetitive schedules can lead to boredom we may be completely unaware of.
You don’t specify what multi-vitamin you are taking. Some medications, particularly those for hypertension but even over-the-counter supplements and herbs can cause fatigue.
Are you under stress at work or at home that may be causing unrecognized depression? We often take on more work than we should and we attempt to do the best we can. When we can no longer keep up and feel we are letting someone down, the stress factor ratchets up.
You indicate you don’t have any medical issues. When did you last see a physician for a full examination? You could be anemic, have a vitamin deficiency, hypothyroidism, or a number of other possibilities.
Are you allowed to snack at your desk since you don’t get scheduled breaks throughout the day? A granola bar, yogurt, banana, or raw vegetables could be consumed prior to your 2:30 slump. Speaking of food, do you have a salad for lunch in an attempt to keep your weight down? You might consider eating a lunch that is protein-rich with a few complex carbohydrates thrown in for longer lasting energy. Even a few peanut butter crackers could get you over the hump.
If you get up several times during the night to get a drink of water, urinate, or check the time, you may not be getting sufficient quality sleep. If so, this alone could be the cause. Perhaps you have insomnia or sleep apnea that often manifests as intense fatigue during daytime hours. How much caffeine do you consume? Some can help fight fatigue; however, too much can definitely cause irritation, anxiety and reduce efficiency. Substitute excessive caffeine intake for water or 100% juice.
Get to the bottom of the issue so you can perhaps self-diagnose and correct your problem. At 2:15, stand up and stretch, walk around your desk, take a juice and/or snack time out. In other words, break the routine and the desire for that nap. Don’t forget the medical appointment just to make sure you have all the bases covered. You’ll be glad you did. Remember too, that sleep patterns change as we age and this may not be caused by something abnormal.
Readers who would like related information can order my Health Report “Sleep/Wake Disorders” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to my attention at PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title when writing or print out an order form from my website www.AskDrGottMD.com.
