Almost everyone has experienced disordered sleeping at some time in their life. The stress of a big project at work, the disruption of a new baby, and jet lag are common reasons people may struggle to sleep during the night or feel more tired than normal during the day. However, when disordered sleep becomes an ongoing situation, you may have a sleep problem that warrants professional intervention.
One type of sleep disorder that can require treatment is hypersomnia. Keep reading to learn more about this condition, including what causes it and how it’s treated.
What Is Hypersomnia?
Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder that impacts how wakeful you feel during the day. Someone with this condition feels very sleepy during normal waking hours, even if they got the recommended amount of sleep the night before. In some cases, an individual with hypersomnia can’t stay awake during the day and falls asleep at inappropriate times.
There are multiple types of hypersomnia:
- Narcolepsy. This type of hypersomnia is further categorized as type 1 and type 2. According to a study published in the journal Sleep Medicine: X, narcolepsy is a rare condition. It impacts around 125,000 people in the United States and is a neurological condition that causes issues such as fragmented nighttime sleep, sleep paralysis, and sudden sleep during the day.
- Idiopathic hypersomnia. This condition can cause someone to sleep excessively and experience issues like brain fog.
- Klein-Levin syndrome. Also a rare condition, this disease can lead to severely excessive sleeping. Some people with this condition sleep 20 hours per day.
Symptoms and Warning Signs of Hypersomnia
Feeling tired during the day for no apparent reason and excessive sleeping are some of the most common warning signs of hypersomnia. Specific symptoms might include:
- Sleeping more than 11 hours at night on a regular basis
- Feeling tired during the day even after sleeping 7 or more hours at night
- Taking regular daytime naps without feeling refreshed
- Having a hard time waking up on your own and struggling to get out of bed
- Being combative or confused upon waking
- Feeling very drowsy even when actively engaged in work or other activities
- Having feelings of apathy about situations or activities that used to interest you
- Experiencing brain fog and trouble with decision-making
- Unexplained headaches
- Restlessness during the day
- Unexplained changes in energy level and appetite
- Moodiness and irritability
- Visual or auditory hallucinations
Symptoms associated with hypersomnia are also associated with a wide variety of other physical and mental health conditions. For example, many of these symptoms are also associated with depression or chronic disease processes like cancer, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. It’s critical to see a healthcare professional about your symptoms to rule out other conditions and ensure you receive the right treatment.
Potential Hypersomnia Causes and Risk Factors
While the exact cause of hypersomnia isn’t known, numerous factors can increase your risk of developing a sleep disorder. Potential risk factors for hypersomnia include:
- Medications. Some types of medication are known to have sleep-related side effects. You may experience temporary hypersomnia when on such medications or develop hypersomnia after long-term use of medication.
- Certain medical conditions. Diseases such as epilepsy, hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis ,and Parkinson’s disease may cause hypersomnia symptoms.
- Poor sleep habits. Long-term irregular sleep habits can increase a person’s risk of developing hypersomnia.
- Mental health. Poor mental health related to stress and anxiety can lead to hypersomnia. Some mental health conditions, including depression, can also increase a person’s risk of hypersomnia.
- Genetics. Some people may be predisposed to sleep disorders due to genetics.
- Substance abuse. The impact of alcohol and drugs on the brain can increase the risks of sleep disorders.
- Environmental factors. Issues that make it difficult to sleep, such as a partner who snores heavily or uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, can lead to disordered sleeping and increase the risk of hypersomnia.
How Is Hypersomnia Diagnosed?
Hypersomnia is diagnosed by a medical professional. Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and conduct an exam. They may ask questions about your sleep habits and history, lifestyle, other symptoms, and past medical conditions. In some cases, healthcare professionals may order a sleep study to better understand potential sleep disturbances.
During a sleep study, data about your eye movements, blood pressure, breathing rate, and brain activity is captured. This information can help your provider understand what’s happening during your sleep that might be causing you to feel excessively tired during the day.
Treatment Options for Hypersomnia
Treatment options can vary depending on the potential causes of your hypersomnia, your overall lifestyle, and how severe your symptoms are. Treatments might include:
- Medication to help promote healthy and restful sleep
- A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to address sleep apnea
- Light therapy in the morning to help you wake up fully
- Cognitive behavioral therapy or other mental health treatment to identify and address root causes of anxiety or other issues that might negatively impact sleep
Managing Hypersomnia in Day-to-Day Life
Your medical professional may also recommend lifestyle changes to help you manage hypersomnia. Natural products like melatonin may help promote healthy sleep cycles to reduce hypersomnia symptoms during the day, for example. You can also work on developing healthy sleep patterns by:
- Exercising regularly
- Avoiding stimulants like caffeine or alcohol, particularly later in the day
- Eating a well-balanced diet
- Reducing sugar intake
- Avoiding screens late at night
- Attending to good sleep hygiene by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day
Understanding warning signs of hypersomnia to decrease safety risks is also important. For instance, you may need to be aware of times when you’re likely to be very tired and fall asleep during the day so you can avoid driving.
Getting Mental Health Care
When sleep disturbances or disorders are related to mental health conditions, no amount of melatonin or other over-the-counter measures completely addresses the issue. Getting to the root of mental health struggles can help you address causes to improve your entire life — including your sleep. If you suspect anxiety, depression or another mental health issue is causing your sleep problems, reach out to FHE Health to find out about compassionate, professional mental health services.
