Posted on June 15, 2009 in Latest News
Idiopathic Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder marked by excessive daytime sleepiness. The cause behind this disorder is not known, although it is presumed to be caused due to central nervous system(CNS). A person with idiopathic hypersomnia would have unrefreshing naps during the day, daytime sleepiness, and long sleeping episodes during the night.
Idiopathic hypersomnia takes two forms – the first one in which the person has more than 10 hours of sleep and sleepiness during the day; the second one where the person has less than 10 hours of sleep and has excessive sleepiness during the day. Idiopathic hypersomnia mainly causes in adults and senior citizens
Symptoms of Idiopathic Hypersomnia:
- Drowsiness during the day
- Long, unrefreshing naps during the day
- Long sleeping hours during the night
- Short episodes of sleep while doing other activities such as driving
- Difficulty in waking up in the morning
Idiopathic hypersomnia puts a person at immense danger while driving and can affect the performance at work, and can affect relationships.
To diagnose idiopathic insomnia, various studies are conducted to rule out other sleep disorders. Physical examination, monitoring sleep-wake cycles at home, and overnight studies are done to diagnose this disorder.
Idiopathic Hypersomnia Treatment:
Idiopathic hypersomnia is treated by combining lifestyle changes and medications.The treatment may include:
- Having regular sleeping pattern i.e. sleeping and waking up at the same time
- Making sure the patient has enough sleep during the night. This is to ensure that the daytime sleepiness is not caused due to less amount of sleep
- Avoiding caffeinated drinks, alcohol, heavy dinner before bedtime
- Medications which keep the patient alert during the day are prescribed. Ritalin, Provigil, and other amphetamines may be prescribed.
For patients with idiopathic hypersomnia, driving should be avoided. Continual monitoring of the patient can help in minimizing the affects of this disorder. If symptoms of idiopathic hypersomnia are detected, one should immediately consult a sleep specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment
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