What is Hypersomnia

Hypersomnia is a condition in which a person feels very tired during the day even though he or she gets plenty of sleep at night.

A person with this condition may take naps during the day and may find it very difficult to wake up from sleep. Hypersomnia may affect a person’s ability to think, concentrate, drive, or remember things.

What are the causes?

The cause of this condition may not be known. Possible causes include:

• Certain medicines.
• Sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy and sleep apnea.
• Injury to the head, brain, or spinal cord.
• Drug or alcohol use.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Tumors.
• Certain medical conditions, such as depression, diabetes, or an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).

What are the signs or symptoms?

The main symptoms of hypersomnia include:

• Feeling very tired throughout the day, regardless of how much sleep you got the night before.
• Having trouble waking up. Others may find it difficult to wake you up when you are sleeping.
• Sleeping for longer and longer periods at a time.
• Taking naps throughout the day.

Other symptoms may include:

• Feeling restless, anxious, or annoyed.
• Lacking energy.
• Having trouble with:
  • Remembering.
  • Speaking.
  • Thinking.
• Loss of appetite.
• Seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, or feeling things that are not real (hallucinations).

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your symptoms and medical history.
• Your sleeping habits. Your health care provider may ask you to write down your sleeping habits in a daily sleep log, along with any symptoms you have.
• A series of tests that are done while you sleep (sleep study or polysomnogram).
• A test that measures how quickly you can fall asleep during the day (daytime nap study or multiple sleep latency test).

How is this treated?

Treatment can help you manage your condition. Treatment may include:

• Following a regular sleep routine.
• Lifestyle changes, such as changing your eating habits, getting regular exercise, and avoiding alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
• Taking medicines to make you more alert (stimulants) during the day.
• Treating any underlying medical causes of hypersomnia.

Follow these instructions at home:

Sleep routine

• Schedule the same bedtime and wake-up time each day.
• Practice a relaxing bedtime routine. This may include reading, meditation, deep breathing, or taking a warm bath before going to sleep.
• Get regular exercise each day. Avoid strenuous exercise in the evening hours.
• Keep your sleep environment at a cooler temperature, darkened, and quiet.
• Sleep with pillows and a mattress that are comfortable and supportive.
• Schedule short 20-minute naps for when you feel sleepiest during the day.
• Talk with your employer or teachers about your hypersomnia. If possible, adjust your schedule so that:
  • You have a regular daytime work schedule.
  • You can take a scheduled nap during the day.
  • You do not have to work or be active at night.
• Do not eat a heavy meal for a few hours before bedtime. Eat your meals at about the same times every day.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages.

Safety

• Do not drive or use heavy machinery if you are sleepy. Ask your health care provider if it is safe for you to drive.
• Wear a life jacket when swimming or spending time near water.

General instructions

• Take supplements and over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Keep a sleep log that will help your doctor manage your condition. This may include information about:
  • What time you go to bed each night.
  • How often you wake up at night.
  • How many hours you sleep at night.
  • How often and for how long you nap during the day.
  • Any observations from others, such as leg movements during sleep, sleep walking, or snoring.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have new symptoms.
• Your symptoms get worse.

Get help right away if:

• You have serious thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else.

If you ever feel like you may hurt yourself or others, or have thoughts about taking your own life, get help right away. You can go to your nearest emergency department or call:

• Your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).
• A suicide crisis helpline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. This is open 24 hours a day.

Summary

• Hypersomnia refers to a condition in which you feel very tired during the day even though you get plenty of sleep at night.
• A person with this condition may take naps during the day and may find it very difficult to wake up from sleep.
• Hypersomnia may affect a person’s ability to think, concentrate, drive, or remember things.
• Treatment, such as following a regular sleep routine and making some lifestyle changes, can help you manage your condition.