Hypersomnia

Hypersomnia refers to medical conditions in which you repeatedly feel excessively tired during the day (called excessive daytime sleepiness) or sleep longer than usual at night. It is different from feeling tired due to lack of or interrupted sleep at night. If you have hypersomnia, you might fall asleep repeatedly during the day, often at inappropriate times such as at work or during a meal. These daytime naps usually provide no relief from symptoms. Hypersomnia can occur on its own or be caused by:

• Another sleep disorder (such as insomnia or sleep apnea)
• Another medical condition (including multiple sclerosis, depression, encephalitis, epilepsy, or obesity)
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Dysfunction of part of the nervous system

It can also result from a physical problem, such as a tumor, head trauma, or injury to the central nervous system.

Symptoms include:

• Difficulty waking from a long sleep
• Slow thinking
• Slow speech
• Memory difficulty

• Anxiety
• Increased irritation
• Decreased energy
• Hallucinations

Medications are available to treat one form of hypersomnia. Other medicines may be used to treat symptoms. Lifestyle changes can include avoiding caffeine or alcohol, avoiding night work and social activities that delay bedtime, and going to bed at a regular time. Counseling and support groups can also help you learn to cope with hypersomnia.

How can I or a loved one help improve care for people with hypersomnia?

Consider participating in a clinical trial so clinicians and scientists can learn more about hypersomnia and related disorders. Clinical research uses human volunteers to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat, or prevent disease.

All types of volunteers are needed—those who are healthy or may have an illness or disease—of all different ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities to ensure that study results apply to as many people as possible, and that treatments will be safe and effective for everyone who will use them.

For information about participating in clinical research visit NIH Clinical Research Trials and You. Learn about clinical trials currently looking for people with hypersomnia at Clinicaltrials.gov.

Where can I find more information about hypersomnia?

Information may be available from the following resources:

American Sleep Apnea Association
Phone: 888-293-3650

Hypersomnia Foundation, Inc.
Phone: 678-842-3512

National Sleep Foundation
Phone: 703-243-1697

Content source: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/hypersomnia Accessed June 23, 2023.

The information in this document is for general educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for personalized professional advice. Although the information was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, MedLink, its representatives, and the providers of the information do not guarantee its accuracy and disclaim responsibility for adverse consequences resulting from its use. For further information, consult a physician and the organization referred to herein.