Hypersomnia
Hypersomnia Information
Hypersomnia refers to excessive sleepiness. Patients with hypersomnia may experience periods of excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged periods of sleep at night. Hypersomnia may be an inherited disorder, as it may run in families.
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The condition may also be caused by brain damage, clinical depression, uremia and fibromyalgia. Tumors, head trauma or central nervous system injuries may be responsible for causing hypersomnia as well. Drug and alcohol abuse may also be the cause of the disorder and hypersomnia may also be a symptom of other sleep disorders.
Sleep apnea, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome may be possible causes of the condition as well. People who are overweight and people suffering from mononucleosis may be at a higher risk of developing hypersomnia. Certain medications may also be to blame for the condition.
Many people may experience tiredness due to a poor night's sleep the night before and may be compelled to nap during the day as a result. People with hypersomnia, however, may feel compelled to nap despite sleeping well the night before.
Daytime naps may not provide any relief from hypersomnia. Patients suffering from the condition may have trouble waking up from a prolonged sleep and may feel disoriented upon waking. Other symptoms may include anxiety, restlessness, irritability, fatigue, slow speech, trouble thinking, loss of appetite, hallucination and trouble with memory.
Diagnosing hypersomnia may be done using a questionnaire regarding sleeping habits. If a person sleeps 10 hours or more in a single day for two weeks straight, that person may have hypersomnia.
In treating hypersomnia, doctors may prescribe stimulants designed to keep the patient alert. Other medications may also be prescribed. Lifestyle changes may be recommended as well. Avoiding working late at night and participating in late night social activities may be effective, as these activities may delay sleep at night. Regular exercise is also linked to more satisfactory sleep each night. A change in diet and avoiding alcohol and caffeine may also help to treat the disorder.
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Sleep apnea, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome may be possible causes of the condition as well. People who are overweight and people suffering from mononucleosis may be at a higher risk of developing hypersomnia. Certain medications may also be to blame for the condition.
Many people may experience tiredness due to a poor night's sleep the night before and may be compelled to nap during the day as a result. People with hypersomnia, however, may feel compelled to nap despite sleeping well the night before.
Daytime naps may not provide any relief from hypersomnia. Patients suffering from the condition may have trouble waking up from a prolonged sleep and may feel disoriented upon waking. Other symptoms may include anxiety, restlessness, irritability, fatigue, slow speech, trouble thinking, loss of appetite, hallucination and trouble with memory.
Diagnosing hypersomnia may be done using a questionnaire regarding sleeping habits. If a person sleeps 10 hours or more in a single day for two weeks straight, that person may have hypersomnia.
In treating hypersomnia, doctors may prescribe stimulants designed to keep the patient alert. Other medications may also be prescribed. Lifestyle changes may be recommended as well. Avoiding working late at night and participating in late night social activities may be effective, as these activities may delay sleep at night. Regular exercise is also linked to more satisfactory sleep each night. A change in diet and avoiding alcohol and caffeine may also help to treat the disorder.
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