Before a sleep attack occurs, you may start to notice that excessive daytime sleepiness is causing you to feel drowsy or have trouble concentrating. Or you may find yourself performing a routine task, such as typing, with zero memory of how you got there or of starting to type. For many people, though, these attacks come on suddenly, with no warning.
And because sleep attacks are linked to an underlying neurological event, quick fixes, such as splashing cold water on your face or chugging coffee, can’t override an episode and give you the jolt you need to stay awake.
“If you have a history of sleep attacks, the main thing you can do is know your body,” says Dr. Andrefsky.
Pay attention to potential patterns that may lead to an attack. For example, you may notice that sleep attacks strike during mundane tasks, such as sitting through a long meeting or while driving on your commute home.
