What to do about feeling drowsy at work during summer afternoons
Oct 11, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Jun
Introduction
In general, feeling drowsy during afternoon work in summer may be caused by poor sleep quality, electrolyte imbalance, insufficient arterial oxygen saturation, hypotension, anemia, etc. Patients should receive symptomatic treatment accordingly. Therefore, upon experiencing such discomfort, individuals should first visit a正规 hospital for medical evaluation. It is recommended that patients reduce the frequency of staying up late to prevent drowsiness during working hours.
Generally, feeling drowsy during work in the afternoon in summer may be caused by poor sleep quality, electrolyte imbalance, insufficient arterial blood oxygen saturation, hypotension, anemia, etc. Patients should receive symptomatic treatment accordingly. Therefore, after experiencing discomfort, it is important to first visit a正规 hospital for evaluation. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:
1. Poor sleep quality: In summer, high temperatures can affect sleep quality, leaving individuals fatigued during the day and prone to drowsiness. This is considered a normal phenomenon and does not require special treatment—adequate rest is sufficient.
2. Electrolyte imbalance: In summer, excessive sweating occurs. If fluids are not replenished promptly, evaporation of sweat can lead to loss of essential ions, resulting in conditions such as hypokalemia and hyponatremia. This often manifests with typical symptoms like drowsiness and fatigue. This is a normal physiological response, and symptoms can be improved by increasing fluid intake.
3. Insufficient arterial blood oxygen saturation: Hypoxia is more common in summer, particularly reduced arterial oxygen saturation. Individuals with pre-existing conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, or pulmonary hypertension are at higher risk. During summer, lower atmospheric pressure can cause breathing difficulties and exacerbate these issues. Patients may follow medical advice to take medications such as enteric-coated aspirin tablets, clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate tablets, or vitamin B12 tablets. In severe cases, oxygen therapy may also be required.
4. Hypotension: Hypotension generally refers to arterial pressure in the systemic circulation falling below the normal range. It may be related to medication, underlying diseases, or physiological factors. After onset, patients may experience the aforementioned drowsiness, along with symptoms such as dizziness and difficulty concentrating. Under a doctor’s guidance, medications such as Shengmai Yin, prednisone acetate tablets, or fludrocortisone acetate tablets may be used for treatment.
5. Anemia: Anemia typically refers to a clinical condition in which peripheral blood red cell volume falls below the lower limit of the normal range. It may result from malnutrition or other underlying diseases. Common symptoms include pallor and dizziness, and it may also contribute to daytime drowsiness. Under medical supervision, patients may use medications such as ferrous succinate tablets, ferrous fumarate granules, or compound ammonium ferric citrate syrup.
It is recommended that patients reduce late-night activities to avoid drowsiness during work hours. Additionally, heavy, greasy meals such as braised pork or braised pig trotters should be avoided at lunchtime to prevent post-meal fatigue.
