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Hypersomnia is an excessive amount of sleepiness, resulting in an inability to stay awake.
Even though people with hypersomnia sleep for more hours at night than is considered necessary (or even healthy), they may still need to take frequent naps in order to remain awake and alert during the day.
Diagnosis
An adult is considered to have hypersomnia if he or she sleeps more than 10 hours per day on a regular basis for at least two weeks.
Causes
Hypersomnia can be caused by genetics (heredity), brain damage, and disorders such as clinical depression and fibromyalgia. Hypersomnia can also be a symptom of other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome.
People who are overweight may be more likely to suffer from hypersomnia. This can often exacerbate weight problems as excessive sleeping decreases metabolic energy consumption, making weight loss more difficult.
Another possible cause is an infection of mononucleosis, as several instances of idiopathic hypersomnia have been found to arise immediately after such an infection (Dr. Givan, MD, Riley Hospital).
Treatment
Hypersomnia can be treated with stimulants such as Modafinil or other medications that increase the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as tricyclic antidepressants.
See also
- Kleine-Levin syndrome
- Reticular Formation (includes info about hypersomnia)
- Somnolence
External links
- - "Primary Hypersomnia"
Hipersomnia primaria | Hypersomnie | Hypersomnia | Hipersomnia
"Hypersomnia"