Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Parents often complain about excessive sleepiness and lack of energy in children. The condition called 'idiopathic hypersomnia' is mostly noticed in teenagers, young adults or in those who are victims of obesity. Scroll down to know about the symptoms of this condition and how it is treated....
Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Causes
Idiopathic hypersomnia, also known as idiopathic somnolence, is a kind of sleep disorder. Average 8 hours of sleep at night is sufficient for a healthy person to feel energetic throughout the day. However, some people may need to sleep longer than this. Hours of sleep needed may vary from person to person, according to age, body constitution or the overall health, etc. People with hypersomnia feel so sleepy during the day (while working or while driving, during any activity) that they are forced to sleep. Hypersomniacs can fall asleep even while having dinner, while watching movies. During official meetings also, they can fall asleep. They may have difficulty in waking up and for them, one sleep cycle can be of ten hours or even longer. Idiopathic hypersomnia (also referred to as primary hypersomnia) and recurrent hypersomnia (also known as recurrent primary hypersomnia) are the two types of hypersomnia. The person with this disorder sleeps for excessively longer periods, during the day. When such daytime sleepiness lasts from one to several days, and then recurs after some days or months, it is called recurring hypersomnia. Hypersomnia can recur over the course of a year or more.
Symptoms
- Excessive sleepiness during the day
- Falling asleep during any activity
- Sleeping for many hours during the day
- Difficulty in waking up
- One sleep cycle can last for 10 hours or more
- Excessive sleep leading to less physical activity which in turn can lead to weight gain
- Social withdrawal
- Difficulty completing daily tasks on time
- Difficulty following daily timetable or work routine.
- Depression
- Increased irritability, restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, confusion
- Memory loss
- Lack of self-confidence
- Affected social, occupational or other performances
- Anxiety
- Low energy levels, constant fatigue
- Slow thinking, slow speech
- Loss of appetite
- Hallucinations
Idiopathic hypersomnia treatment depends upon the underlying cause of the sleep disorder. For example, hypersomnia caused by a tumor, head trauma, or injury to the central nervous system needs to be treated accordingly. Drug or alcohol addicts can suffer from this type of sleep disorder. They need to quit alcohol or stop taking drugs. Consumption of medications such as sedatives (tranquilizers) can lead to hypersomnia. Sometimes, drug withdrawal or medicine withdrawal can cause hypersomnia. Genetic disposition is sometimes responsible for this type of sleep disorder. Certain diseases like multiple sclerosis, hypothyroidism, dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system or obesity can also lead to somnolence. Thus, taking into consideration the cause of the disorder, doctors may prescribe medications or may suggest some lifestyle changes. Correct and timely diagnosis plays an important role in treating this condition. Drugs like Modafinil (Provigil), Methylphenidate (Ritalin) and certain amphetamines that stimulate the central nervous system are used to treat the condition. Some medications may exhibit side effects like heart palpitations and nervousness.
Those who are being treated for excessive somnolence should follow doctor's instructions regarding lifestyle changes. They should be extremely cautious while operating any machinery. They should avoid driving a vehicle. They should obviously avoid working at night. They should not get engaged in social activities that might delay bedtime. I hope you found the above information regarding the unusual sleepiness during the day helpful.
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