Hypersomnia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

What Is Hypersomnia?

Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder marked by frequent bouts of hypersomnolence Trusted Source National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) NINDS aims to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. View Source or excessive nighttime sleep. Hypersomnolence is not considered a disorder in itself, but rather a symptom of hypersomnia Trusted Source American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) AASM sets standards and promotes excellence in sleep medicine health care, education, and research. View Source . Hypersomnia is a stand-alone sleep disorder and cannot be caused by other conditions that result in chronic hypersomnolence, like narcolepsy.  

Potential causes of hypersomnia include autonomic nervous system dysregulation, excessive alcohol or drug use, or certain medications. Some medical conditions may also play a role in the development of hypersomnia, including tumors, head injuries, multiple sclerosis, encephalitis, and epilepsy. 

Hypersomnia Symptoms

People with hypersomnia often experience a strong desire to sleep at inappropriate times, like during work or school, in the middle of a social obligation, or when conversing with others. Other symptoms include:

• Frequent napping
• Irritability,
• Decreased alertness
• Heightened anxiety
• Difficulty concentrating.

A person’s professional or personal life may be negatively affected by these symptoms. 

Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence

While some instances of hypersomnolence are caused by lifestyle practices or poor sleep hygiene, it may also be a warning sign of a sleep disorder. Each sleep disorder is distinct and can have varying causes, symptoms, and treatments. 

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy type 1 is a chronic neurological disorder caused by an insufficient amount of the neurotransmitter orexin. Hypersomnolence is one symptom of narcolepsy type 1, and other symptoms include cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness), sleep paralysis, and hallucinations.

Narcolepsy type 2 includes many of the same symptoms of type 1, but symptoms may be less severe. Narcolepsy type 2 does not include cataplexy and is not caused by a lack of orexin. 

Kleine-Levin Syndrome

Kleine-Levin syndrome is characterized by recurring episodes of extreme hypersomnolence Trusted Source National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) NINDS aims to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. View Source that occur alongside mental, behavioral, and even psychiatric disturbances. This condition predominantly affects young males, and episodes often decrease over a period of 8 to 12 years.

Hypersomnia Due to Medication or Substances

Certain sedative medications, alcohol, and narcotic drugs can cause hypersomnia. Hypersomnia can also be a symptom of withdrawal from stimulant drugs and some medications.

Hypersomnia Associated with a Psychiatric Disorder

Many mood disorders can cause hypersomnia, including depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.

Insufficient Sleep Syndrome

Perhaps the most straightforward cause of hypersomnia, insufficient sleep syndrome occurs when a person persistently fails to get sufficient sleep. Poor sleep hygiene or night shift work may prevent a person from obtaining their recommended amount of sleep.

Research shows that one-third of Americans Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source are not getting sufficient sleep on a regular basis.

Idiopathic Hypersomnia

If a patient has excessive sleepiness, without cataplexy, that is not refreshed by naps or sleep, they may be diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia Trusted Source Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. View Source . Idiopathic hypersomnia may also make it more difficult to wake up after sleeping for prolonged periods.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Talk to a doctor if you are experiencing hypersomnolence that interferes with your quality of life. Pinpointing the causes of your symptoms can help determine which treatments could be most effective for you. There are several tools sleep specialists may use to diagnose hypersomnia. 

• Conduct a sleep study: A sleep study or polysomnography is a test conducted by sleep specialists to pinpoint signs of sleep disorders and rule out other conditions like narcolepsy or sleep apnea.
• Complete a multiple sleep latency test: Also known as a nap study, a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) can be used to measure the level of sleepiness a person experiences throughout the day. An MSLT offers five opportunities for the patient to nap while measuring the time it takes them to fall asleep. People with hypersomnia may fall asleep quicker than those without the condition. 
• Utilize the Epworth Sleepiness Scale: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a questionnaire used to measure a patient’s level of sleepiness. The test presents eight hypothetical situations and asks the patient to rank how likely they are to fall asleep during each on a scale of 0 (unlikely) to 3 (very likely). The patient’s responses are then tallied and used as a diagnostic tool for excessive sleepiness.    
• Keep a sleep diary: Your doctor may suggest keeping a sleep diary to track the prevalence of symptoms and quality of sleep. 

A prescription drug has recently been approved by the FDA to manage idiopathic hypersomnia Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . The medication has also been used to treat cataplexy associated with narcolepsy. Some physicians will prescribe off-label drugs to relieve symptoms of excessive sleepiness, including stimulants. Speak to your doctor about potential pharmaceutical treatments for hypersomnia and other sleep disorders.

Tips for Coping with Hypersomnia

While there is no cure for hypersomnia, there are a number of ways to manage the effects of the disorder. 

• Stick to a sleep routine: Practice waking up and going to sleep at the same time each day, even on weekends. Make sure you are getting enough sleep for your age and lifestyle needs. You can calculate the amount of sleep you need using a sleep calculator. 
• Curb alcohol and caffeine consumption: Alcohol and caffeine can negatively affect sleep quality. Avoid alcohol in the hours before bed, and cut off caffeine intake after 3 p.m. 
• Create a peaceful sleeping environment: A cool, quiet bedroom free from blue light emitted by electronic devices can facilitate restful sleep and prevent residual drowsiness upon waking. 
• Avoid dangerous activities: It is imperative to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while tired.