What is Hypersomnia and How is it Treated?

There are several types of sleep disorders. One of them is hypersomnia or excessive sleepiness. It affects about 5% of the population and is characterized by excessive sleep. It is the opposite of the sleep disorder insomnia.

The main symptom is unreasonable fatigue, which those affected feel even during the day. The head and body do not want to cooperate, and even after 8 hours of sleep or more, fatigue does not go away, and the feeling of rest does not occur.

4 Types of Hypersomnia

Hypersomnia is divided into 4 types: idiopathic, post-traumatic, recurrent hypersomnia, and narcolepsy. The last type mentioned is the most severe form, where it is a chronic neurological disorder in which the brain is unable to regulate sleep and wake cycles. The illness can also be accompanied by hallucinations and other unpleasant issues.

Development of Hypersomnia

It is not certain how hypersomnia develops, but it is believed that issues in parts of the brain responsible for sleep and waking functions may contribute to it. Hypersomnia often goes hand in hand with another illness. In such cases, the illness itself may be the cause, such as depression, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy… Hypersomnia can also be caused by medications, drugs, or alcohol.

Solutions for Excessive Sleepiness

Patients may visit a sleep lab, where appropriate solutions will be recommended. There should also be a quality mattress, a pleasant environment in the bedroom, silence, darkness, going to bed at the same time, avoiding alcohol, drugs, and overeating – especially in the evening. Also, avoid strenuous physical activity before sleep. Watching news or films that may disturb us is also inappropriate. Spending time outdoors is important. It is ideal to listen to something like spoken word, read, and not force sleep.

If you cannot fall asleep, it is recommended to leave the comfortable mattress and bed for half an hour and do a calming activity, such as reading. Long lying and tossing can cause nervousness and delay sleep further.