Hypersomnia Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Hypersomnia is a fairly rare sleep disorder, which can cause excessive sleepiness during the day. Even if you get enough sleep at night. This condition also often causes difficulty getting up in the morning after sleeping at night or taking a nap.
In this condition, the need for sleep can occur at any time, including while driving a vehicle or working, which can make this condition dangerous. Generally, hypersomnia develops over several weeks to several months.
The diagnosis of this condition is made after ruling out more common sleep disturbances. Meanwhile, the treatment is aimed at controlling the signs and symptoms with medication.
Symptoms
In someone with hypersomnia, other signs and symptoms that can occur include:
- Often fall asleep during the day and not feel refreshed afterward
- Falling asleep suddenly, often while eating or talking
- Stay asleep for a long time during the night
Reason
There are several possible causes of hypersomnia, such as:
- Sleep disorders such as narcolepsy (drowsiness during the day) and sleep apnea (interruption of breathing during sleep)
- Not getting enough sleep at night (sleep deprivation)
- Having excess body weight
- Use of illegal drugs or alcohol
- Head injury or presence of neurological disease, such as multiple sclerosis
- genetic factor
Diagnosis
To determine the diagnosis of hypersomnia, the doctor will evaluate the signs and symptoms you are experiencing, look at your medical history and family history. This includes medications that are being consumed, as well as by carrying out a physical examination.
The doctor can also carry out several tests to determine the diagnosis of the condition being experienced and determine the cause, including:
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Epworth Sleepiness Scale or Epworth Sleepiness Scale
The doctor may ask the patient to rate the sleepiness they are experiencing, to determine how daily life is affected by sleep patterns.
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Sleep diary or sleep planner
The doctor may ask the patient to record a sleep diary, in which the patient documents sleep and wake times to show daily sleep duration and patterns.
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Polysomnogram
In this examination, the patient can stay in the sleep research center for one night. The polysomnogram monitors brain activity, eye movements, leg movements, heart rate, breathing patterns, and sleep oxygen levels.
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Multiple sleep latency tests or multiple sleep latency checks
This test measures sleepiness and the type and degree of sleep experienced during naps. This examination is generally done the day after the polysomnogram.
Handling
Treatment for hypersomnia is aimed at relieving the signs and symptoms that arise. Certain stimulant medications may be prescribed by doctors to help the body stay awake during the day if deemed necessary.
In addition, the doctor may also recommend establishing a routine nightly sleep pattern and avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and certain drugs that can affect sleep patterns.
Prevention
Because the cause of hypersomnia is still not known with certainty, there is no prevention method that has been fully proven to be effective in preventing this condition from occurring. However, certain ways are believed to help reduce sleepiness during the day. For example, by making a sleep schedule, making sure to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, and making sure the sleeping environment is a dark, quiet, and cool place.