what is somnolence

Somnolence is a state of strong desire for sleep or sleeping for unusually long periods. It can refer to the usual state preceding falling asleep, the condition of being in a drowsy state due to circadian rhythm disorders, or the symptom of an underlying condition such as a sleep disorder, anxiety, depression, or stress. Somnolence is often viewed as a symptom rather than a disorder by itself, but it can be a part of various disorders such as excessive daytime sleepiness, shift work sleep disorder, and others. The word "somnolence" is derived from the Latin "somnus" meaning "sleep". Some of the causes of somnolence include circadian rhythm disorders, anxiety, brain tumor, chronic pains, concussion, and infection. Depending on the underlying disease, disorder, or condition, individuals experiencing somnolence may also present with other symptoms, such as changes in mood, personality, or behavior.