DR AMEEN’S PERSONAL PROFILE 🧑‍⚕️🍀

Dr. Ameen, ENT Specialist in Kuala Lumpur

“ENT Specialist Treating Ear, Nose, Sinus, Snoring, Vertigo & Throat Problems“

Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist (Adult & Paediatric)
Pakar Hidung, Telinga & Tekak (Dewasa & Kanak2)

🎓Qualifications
🩺MB BCh BAO Hons (Ireland🍀)
🔪Master (DrP) in Otorhinolaryngology (ENT👂👃👄), Head & Neck Surgery (UKM, Malaysia🌺)

Email: drameenpakarent@protonmail.com

😴Excessive Daytime Sleepiness / Terlampau mengantuk di siang hari

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: Could It Be Sleep Apnoea?

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) refers to an abnormal tendency to feel sleepy during the day, even after what seems like a full night’s sleep. Patients often describe uncontrollable drowsiness, difficulty staying awake, or the need for frequent naps.

While lifestyle factors can contribute, persistent daytime sleepiness is often a sign of poor sleep quality, most commonly due to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). As an ENT specialist, I frequently see patients whose symptoms are misattributed to stress or ageing, when the underlying issue lies in airway obstruction during sleep.

What Does Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Feel Like?

Patients commonly report:

Feeling sleepy during meetings or conversations
Nodding off while watching TV or reading
Struggling to stay alert while driving
Poor concentration and memory
Irritability or low motivation
Dependence on caffeine to function

These symptoms can seriously affect safety, productivity, and quality of life.

A man sitting at a desk with his head resting on his hand, looking stressed while working on a laptop. In the background, tall buildings and a city skyline are visible through large windows. — A man experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness while working at his desk in Kuala Lumpur, reflecting the impact of potential sleep disorders.

A man in a grey t-shirt holding a steaming cup of coffee in a modern kitchen, looking contemplative. Various used coffee capsules are scattered on the counter, and a clock shows 6:47 AM. — A tired man holding a steaming cup of coffee in his kitchen, reflecting the challenges of excessive daytime sleepiness – dependence on caffeine to function.

Common Causes of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Repeated breathing pauses fragment sleep and reduce oxygen levels.

A man sleeping in bed, with a relaxed expression, partially covered by a duvet, yawning. — A man experiencing obstructive sleep apnoea, shown sleeping with mouth open, highlighting the impact of excessive daytime sleepiness.

2. Loud Snoring with Poor Sleep Quality

Even without obvious apnoea, airflow obstruction disrupts deep sleep.

A woman appears distressed in bed, covering her ears, while a man sleeps soundly next to her, with a bedside table and lamp in the background. — A woman struggling to sleep while her partner snores, highlighting the impact of obstructive sleep apnoea on sleep quality.

3. Nasal Obstruction

Chronic nasal blockage worsens sleep breathing.

Close-up view of a medical endoscopic procedure showing the interior of a throat or esophagus, with visible mucosal surface and fluid. — An internal view of the nasal airway highlighting potential sites of obstruction causing excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep apnoea.

4. Shift Work or Irregular Sleep Patterns

Disrupts circadian rhythm.

A man stands by a window looking out at a cityscape during twilight, while a woman sleeps in a bed beside him. — A man stands by the window looking out, while a woman sleeps peacefully in bed, highlighting irregular sleep pattern causing excessive daytime sleepiness.

5. Alcohol or Sedative Use

Suppresses normal sleep architecture.

A row of various alcoholic beverage bottles, including wine and beer, arranged on a wooden table. — A selection of alcoholic beverages highlighting the impact of alcohol on sleep quality.

6. Other Medical Conditions

Including depression, thyroid disorders, or medication effects.

A person sitting on the ground, hugging their knees with their head down, surrounded by a dark, abstract background, conveying a sense of sadness or distress. — Deproductive sleep caused by depression frequently results in excessive daytime sleepiness. Credit Amaha

🚨 When Should You Worry About Daytime Sleepiness?

Seek ENT or medical assessment if:

Sleepiness is daily and persistent
You fall asleep unintentionally
You feel sleepy while driving
There is loud snoring or witnessed apnoea
Morning headaches or poor concentration occur

These features strongly suggest sleep-related breathing disorder.

A man showing signs of excessive daytime sleepiness while driving, highlighting the risks associated with drowsiness behind the wheel.

How an ENT Specialist Evaluates Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

ENT assessment focuses on identifying airway-related sleep disruption:

Detailed sleep and work history
Sleep questionnaires (e.g. Epworth Sleepiness Scale)
Nose, throat, jaw, and neck examination
Flexible nasoendoscopy to assess airway collapse
Referral for sleep study when indicated

A doctor in a white coat demonstrating a medical instrument to a patient during a consultation, with a plant and a window in the background. — An ENT specialist discusses airway assessment tools with a patient during a consultation on excessive daytime sleepiness.

This ensures accurate diagnosis and avoids unnecessary medication.

Treatment Options

✅ Treat the Underlying Cause

CPAP therapy for confirmed sleep apnoea
Treatment of nasal obstruction
Weight management

A man sleeping in a dimly lit bedroom, wearing a CPAP mask connected to a breathing machine on the bedside table. — A man using CPAP therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnoea while sleeping.

✅ Lifestyle Optimisation

Regular sleep schedule
Avoid alcohol before sleep
Side-sleeping

Illustration of various alcoholic beverages including a champagne bottle, a cocktail glass, and spirits, with a red prohibition symbol overlaid. — Avoid alcohol to improve sleep quality and reduce excessive daytime sleepiness.

✅ ENT-Directed Treatment (Selected Cases)

Nasal surgery
Airway surgery when appropriate

Close-up view of a pink, fleshy area inside the throat, with a medical instrument visible approaching it. — Endoscopic view of nasal procedure (turbinoplasty) to address nasal issue causing sleep disturbances.

Effective treatment improves alertness, safety, and long-term health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is daytime sleepiness normal with age?
No. Persistent sleepiness is not normal and needs evaluation.

Can sleep apnoea cause severe fatigue?
Yes. It is one of the most common causes.

Is coffee a solution?
Caffeine masks symptoms but does not treat the cause.

When Should You See an ENT Specialist in Kuala Lumpur?

Consult an ENT specialist if:

You feel sleepy despite adequate sleep time
Snoring or breathing pauses are present
Sleepiness affects work or driving safety

Early ENT assessment prevents accidents and long-term complications.

👨‍⚕️ ENT Specialist’s Perspective

Excessive daytime sleepiness is a symptom, not a diagnosis. From an ENT perspective, the priority is identifying whether sleep fragmentation is caused by upper airway obstruction. Addressing the airway restores normal sleep physiology and improves overall health, rather than relying on stimulants or symptomatic treatment.

Reviewed by Dr Ameen, ENT Specialist, Kuala Lumpur

Hello and welcome!,

I’m Dr Ameen, an ENT specialist based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I am passionate about helping people breathe, hear, and live better. After years of experience at Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Tunku Azizah Women and Children Hospital, I now provide specialised care at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity, Columbia Hospital Setapak, and Klinik ANDA Wangsa Melawati. Through this page, I share simple, reliable tips and insights to help you understand and manage common ear, nose, and throat conditions with confidence.