Hypersomnia refers to excessive daytime sleepiness. In people with narcolepsy, this manifests as short, sudden sleep attacks, which cause an overwhelming urge to sleep during daily activities. People with narcolepsy can also experience cataplexycataplexy Cataplexy is a sudden, brief loss of voluntary muscle tone triggered by strong emotions such as laughter. The condition is most commonly associated with narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that is thought to affect between 135,000 and 200,000 people in the United States. Cataplexy occurs during waking hours. › articles

Cataplexy: Symptoms, causes, and treatment - Medical News Today

, sleep paralysis, vivid dreams, and hallucinations.

Can you have both narcolepsy and hypersomnia?

Both narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) are considered central disorders of hypersomnolence (CDH). They share similarities, most important of which is the requirement that patients with both disorders must experience significant excessive daytime sleepiness.

What is considered hypersomnia?

Definition. Hypersomnia is characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged nighttime sleep.

What are the different types of hypersomnia?

What Is Hypersomnia?

• narcolepsy type 1 (with cataplexy)
• narcolepsy type 2.
• idiopathic hypersomnia.
• Kleine-Levin syndrome.
• hypersomnia due to a medical condition.
• hypersomnia due to a medication or substance.
• hypersomnia associated with a psychiatric condition.
• insufficient sleep syndrome.

What are two causes of hypersomnia?

Causes of Hypersomnia

• The sleep disorders narcolepsy (daytime sleepiness) and sleep apnea (interruptions of breathing during sleep)
• Not getting enough sleep at night (sleep deprivation)
• Being overweight.
• Drug or alcohol abuse.
• A head injury or a neurological disease, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease.

Idiopathic Hypersomnia

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Can hypersomnia be cured?

Some people with hypersomnia can improve their symptoms with the right lifestyle changes. Medications can also help this condition. However, some people may never get full relief. This isn't a life-threatening condition but it may impact a person's quality of life.

Is narcolepsy a hypersomnia?

Hypersomnia and narcolepsy are related but distinct medical terms. Narcolepsy is a specific neurological disorder that causes sudden attacks of deep sleep, while hypersomnia is a symptom, and refers to excessive daytime sleepiness more generally. Hypersomnia, or hypersomnolence, is a symptom of narcolepsy.

Does hypersomnia qualify for disability?

If you are applying for a claim for disability benefits for idiopathic hypersomnia, ensure that you submit all medical evidence. This includes the results of your CT scans, polysomnography tests, or EEG tests. It's quite likely that your claim will be denied at first.

What is Type 2 narcolepsy?

Type 2 narcolepsy (previously termed narcolepsy without cataplexy). People with this condition experience excessive daytime sleepiness but usually do not have muscle weakness triggered by emotions. They usually also have less severe symptoms and have normal levels of the brain hormone hypocretin.

Is hypersomnia a symptom of ADHD?

Patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suffer from hypersomnia; indeed, we have often encountered ADHD patients that fulfill the diagnostic criteria for narcolepsy type 2 (NA 2).

How many hours of sleep is hypersomnia?

Oversleeping is called hypersomnia or “long sleeping.” This condition affects about 2 percent of people. People with hypersomnia might require as many as 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night to feel their best.

How do you know if you have hypersomnia?

Diagnosing Hypersomnia

1. Blood tests to rule out underlying conditions such as anemia (low blood count) or a sluggish thyroid.
2. Computed tomography (CT) or MRI scans to rule out neurological issues such as multiple sclerosis.
3. Polysomnography, a sleep test used to help determine the cause of many sleep problems.

How do you wake up a narcoleptic?

Many people with narcolepsy sleep restlessly at night.
...
Rest Best at Night

1. Relax before turning in. Avoid alcohol close to bedtime.
2. Try to go to bed at the same time each night.
3. If you wake up during the night, avoid reaching for your phone or other electronics. Screens stimulate, not relax, you.

What mimics narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is often misdiagnosed as other conditions that can have similar symptoms, including:

• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Other psychologic/psychiatric disorders.
• Insomnia.
• Obstructive sleep apnea.

What type of doctor treats hypersomnia?

Mayo Clinic doctors trained in sleep medicine, including doctors trained in lung and breathing conditions (pulmonary medicine), mental health conditions (psychiatry), brain conditions (neurology) and other areas, work together to diagnose and treat people who have idiopathic hypersomnia.

Can you legally drive if you have narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy – People with narcolepsy are not able to drive until they are stable on treatment and also need to have cataplexy controlled. The criteria for commercial drivers are more stringent, and generally people with any cataplexy are not fit hold a commercial or heavy vehicle licence.

Can you stay awake with narcolepsy?

People with narcolepsy often find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time, regardless of the circumstances. Narcolepsy can cause serious disruptions in your daily routine.

Is Idiopathic a hypersomnia?

Idiopathic hypersomnia is an uncommon sleep disorder that causes you to be excessively sleepy during the day even after a good or prolonged night's sleep. It also often causes difficulty waking up after you've been asleep at night or for a nap. Naps generally aren't refreshing.

Is hypersomnia caused by depression?

Does depression cause hypersomnia? Depression is a common mood disorder that causes both emotional and physical symptoms. Sleep problems are a symptom of depression, which can cause difficulty sleeping or oversleeping in some people. Hypersomnia commonly occurs with depression.

Can idiopathic hypersomnia be misdiagnosed?

Lack of Knowledge on Idiopathic Hypersomnia Often Leads to Misdiagnosis. Idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) is a chronic neurologic sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness even though a person can get adequate, or more typically, long amounts of sleep (more than 9 to 10 hours in a 24-hour period).

Does melatonin help hypersomnia?

Based on the latest research, melatonin may provide a novel option for improving central disorder of hypersomnolence. As mentioned before, melatonin alters sleep architecture in narcolepsy, a disorder of circadian rhythm and REM sleep deficit.

How common is hypersomnia?

Primary Hypersomnia is a relatively rare sleeping disorder, affecting under 1% of the population. It is slightly more common in females than in males, and typically starts in early adulthood.

Does hypersomnia get worse?

Whether patients have a physical or psychological disorder, the symptoms will get worse if the person's secondary hypersomnia is not addressed. By contrast, primary hypersomnia is diagnosed when there is no known cause for severe long-term excessive daytime sleepiness.