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Neuroscientists can tell if you’re too sleepy to drive or sit for an exam in just two minutes
Most people experience a dip in energy after eating a heavy meal. However, some feel sleepy throughout the day due to a legitimate medical condition called “excessive daytime somnolence.”
While adequate sleep is crucial for overall well-being, excessive sleepiness can become inconvenient and even dangerous, especially when you’re behind the wheel. Therefore, scientists have discovered a tool to measure sleepiness in individuals, which only takes two minutes.
Scientists discover new method to measure sleepiness
Researchers from the University of South Australia have found a new brain measure of sleepiness, which may provide diagnoses in just two minutes, as opposed to traditional methods that require almost a full day.
The new method involves attaching electrodes to the scalp in the form of an electroencephalogram (EEG)�to measure the electrical activity of the brain, which can determine how long a person takes to fall asleep.
The new EEG marker helps manage sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and others responsible for daytime sleepiness, while also predicting if someone is safe enough to drive or has the mental capacity to sit through an exam.
Further elaborating on the practical benefits of the new diagnosis,�UniSA neuroscientist�Dr. Alex Chatburn said:
“These findings could also inform workplace safety, where detecting and managing sleepiness could prevent accidents in industries that demand high levels of attention.
3 lifestyle changes for better sleep
There are several causes of excessive daytime sleeping, including sleep deprivation, sleep apnea, and physical and mental health issues, among others.
While a doctor’s intervention is recommended for prolonged issues with sleep, tweaking your lifestyle could contribute to a better resting period.
Naturopathic doctor Janine Bowring recommends three minor changes to your lifestyle for better sleep at night, including increasing fluid intake during the day.
Drinking a lot of fluids close to bedtime increases your urge to pee when asleep, thus disrupting your sleep. You should also avoid going to bed immediately after dinner as your body cannot secret the sleep hormones efficiently if you have high insulin levels from eating just before sleeping.
Lastly, practice bladder training. She suggests delaying your urge to pee by ten minutes throughout the day and training your brain to control the feeling, so you dont have to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.
