Hypersomnia Specialist

What is Hypersomnia?

Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder that causes uncontrollable sleepiness during the day, and patients often report experiencing trouble waking up after the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep. Patients with this disorder may also feel an uncontrollable urge to take naps during meals or social interactions, which can impact productivity at work and school. Knowing what triggers hypersomnia can help improve normal function in social and occupational settings, and it can help prevent accidents caused by prolonged and uncontrollable fatigue. Among some of the other hypersomnia symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Agitated Mood
• Decreased Energy
• Loss of Appetite
• Memory Loss
• Slow Thinking
• Slow Speech Patters

What Causes Hypersomnia?

The causes of hypersomnia may be related to other sleep disorders like narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea that disrupt healthy sleep cycles, causing uncontrollable daytime sleepiness. In some cases, nervous system disorders such as epilepsy can trigger abnormal brain activity at night, which can lead to intermittent periods of fatigue during the day. Some of the other medical conditions that may trigger hypersomnia in patients include:

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Depression
• Obesity
• Head Trauma
• Tumors
• Brain Inflammation
• Drug & Alcohol Addiction

How is Hypersomnia Diagnosed?

Hypersomnia can be diagnosed by analyzing current symptoms and other related conditions. Typically, a patient may be diagnosed with this disorder if they experience severe or sudden uncontrollable daytime sleepiness for at least one month, or persistent symptoms for three months that occur at least three times a week. A clinical evaluation to rule out other conditions such as nervous system disorders can help provide an accurate diagnosis. Other diagnostic methods include a sleep study to monitor and analyze abnormal brain activity and sleeping patterns that may contribute to uncontrollable daytime sleepiness.

What Treatments Are Available for Hypersomnia?

Treatment for hypersomnia depends on the severity of the condition. In some cases, stimulant hypersomnia medications like modafinil are prescribed to help increase alertness in patients with this sleep disorder. At Texas Sleep Medicine, we can tailor a treatment plan to you that includes medication and alternative therapies like relaxation training that will help you learn how to prepare your body for a healthy sleep cycle and improve problematic sleep hygiene habits.