Excessive sleepiness

Hypersomnia means excessive sleepiness

There are many different causes, the most common in our society being inadequate , and medical and psychiatric illnesses.

Hypersomnia can be helped or cured with a few adjustments to lifestyle habits

Seek advice from your doctor or sleep disorder clinic if you still feel excessively sleepy.

The characteristics of hypersomnia vary from one person to the next, depending on their age, lifestyle and any underlying causes. Under the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, daytime sleepiness is defined as ‘the inability to stay awake and alert during the major waking episodes of the day, resulting in unintended lapses into drowsiness or sleep’.

In extreme cases, a person with hypersomnia might sleep soundly at night for 12 hours or more, but still feel the need to nap during the day.

Sleeping and napping may not help, and the mind may remain foggy with drowsiness. It is possible that a person with hypersomnia may have very disturbed sleep but not be aware of it. Depending on the cause, the symptoms of hypersomnia may include:

• An increased risk of accidents
• especially motor vehicle accidents

Excessive daytime sleepiness can be caused by a wide range of events and conditions, including: – long working hours and overtime can be tolerated for months or years before the symptoms of sleepiness take effect. who stay out until the early hours of the morning on weekends may be tired during the week. , especially night shift.

As well as the problem of trying to sleep, there is also the effect of being out of synchronisation with the body’s internal clock (the circadian rhythm). can keep a person awake at night, which makes them prone to sleepiness during the day.

Depression saps energy

This clock responds to light

may all cause sleep disruption or fragmented sleep

Some of the sleep disorders that may contribute to or cause excessive daytime sleepiness include:

• the person’s breathing stops or is reduced regularly during sleep
• sometimes every minute. The brain registers the breathing problem
• sends a ‘wake-up’ call. The person rouses slightly
• then goes back to sleep

Sleep is fragmented

– this is very common, but does not necessarily cause hypersomnia. A person may have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep.

Insomnia is a symptom, not a disease

– sensations of cramps or irritation are felt under the skin in the legs, particularly the calves. The person feels compelled to move their legs or get out of bed and walk around. – this is a common abnormal behaviour during sleep.

The person may walk around the house while still asleep. Sleep walking tends to affect children more than adults. – this is a relatively rare sleep disorder characterised by sleepiness to the degree of involuntary napping, paralysis of the muscles (sleep paralysis), vivid, dream-like hallucinations just prior to falling asleep (hypnagogic hallucinations), and muscle weakness during periods of strong emotion (cataplexy).

– this sleep disorder is characterised by excessive night-time sleeping and the need for naps during the day. Unlike narcolepsy, it doesn’t include cataplexy or sleep paralysis. Identifying the causes of excessive sleepiness may involve investigations into lifestyle habits, medications, physical health and emotional state.

Sleep disorders need to be diagnosed and treated at a sleep disorders clinic.

The treatment depends on the disorder

Hypersomnia can be helped in many cases with lifestyle adjustments to improve sleep quality, so called good sleep hygiene. Suggestions include:

• caffeinated drinks near bedtime. Follow a relaxation routine to prevent night-time anxiety

If possible, change your environment to reduce disturbances – for example, don’t watch television in the bedroom. Be comfortable; make sure you don’t overheat or feel too cold in bed.

Have a regular sleeping routine so that your body ‘knows’ it is time to sleep.

Only go to bed when you feel sleepy

If necessary, take brief ‘power’ naps during the day to help you stay alert and vigilant. Daytime napping is generally not recommended when improved sleep is possible, as it can reduce the drive to sleep at night.

However, brief naps can be very valuable in occupational settings and on other occasions where concentration is required, such as preparation for driving or in regular breaks on a long trip.

About excessive sleepiness sleep

This may be due to shiftwork, family demands (such as a new baby ), study or social life. Other causes include sleep disorders, medication Characteristics of hypersomnia Symptoms of hypersomnia Feeling unusually tired all the time The need for daytime naps Feeling drowsy, despite sleeping and napping – not refreshed on waking up Difficulty thinking and making decisions – the mind feels ‘foggy’ Apathy Memory or concentration difficulties Causes of hypersomnia Insufficient or inadequate sleep Teenagers Environmental factors – broken sleep can be caused by a variety of things such as a snoring partner, a baby that wakes , noisy neighbours, heat and cold, or sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress Shiftwork – it is very difficult to get good sleep while working shiftwork Mental states – anxiety Medications – such as alcohol , caffeinated drinks Medical conditions – like hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) , oesophageal reflux , nocturnal asthma Changes to time zone – such as jet lag Sleep disorders – such as sleep apnoea , restless legs syndrome , sleep walking, narcolepsy , idiopathic hypersomnia and insomnia Sleep disorders Sleep apnoea Insomnia Restless legs syndrome Sleep walking Narcolepsy Idiopathic hypersomnia Diagnosis and treatment of hypersomnia Self-help strategies Avoid cigarettes Exercise regularly Eat a well-balanced diet Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Sleep disorder clinic Sleep Health Foundation .

Key Points

• Sleeping and napping may not help, and the mind may remain foggy with drowsiness
• may all cause sleep disruption or fragmented sleep
• – this is very common, but does not necessarily cause hypersomnia
• Insomnia is a symptom, not a disease
• – this is a common abnormal behaviour during sleep