Hypersomnia
is excessive sleepiness. It is an excessively deep or prolonged
major sleep period. It may be associated with difficulty in awakening.
It is believed to be caused by the central nervous system and
can be associated with a normal or prolonged major sleep episode
and excessive sleepiness consisting of prolonged (1-2 hours) sleep
episodes of non-REM sleep and is characterized by:
Long sleep periods.
Excessive sleepiness
or excessively deep sleep.
The onset is insidious
(gradually, so you are not aware of it at first).
Typically appears
before age 25.
Has been present
for at lest six months.
A person with
hypersomnia may sleep up to twelve hours a night, and still need
frequent daytime naps. If the condition is diagnosed as recurrent
hypersomnia, this is also called Kleine-Levin Syndrome.
Idiopathic
hypersomnia is much like narcolepsy,
except there is no cataplexy, no sleep paralysis, and no rapid
eye movement when the victim first falls asleep.
Hypersomnia
is one of the symptoms of major
depression. In fact, people who are suffering from clinical
depression may suffer from either insomnia (inability to fall
asleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleep) nearly every day. Bi-polar
patients may also experience hypersomnia during depressive
periods.
In between
the symptomatic periods, the patients have normal sleep requirements
and do not have excessive daytime sleepiness. Some patients may
develop symptoms of irritability, impulsive
behavior, depersonalization,
hallucinations, depression,
and confusion.
Associated Features:
Headaches,
which may be Migrainous in quality.
Fainting Episodes
Hypnagogic Hallucinations and Sleep Paralysis may be encountered
occasionally.
Differential
Diagnosis:
Some disorders have similar symptoms. The clinician, therefore,
in his diagnostic attempt , has to differentiate against the following
disorders which need to be ruled out to establish a precise diagnosis.
Depression
Narcolepsy
Sleep Apnea
Cause:
Primary hypersomnia
is an idiopathic disorder and it's etiology is not known. Although
head injury or viral infections can cause a disorder resembling
primary hypersomnia.. No genetic, environmental, or other predisposition
has been identified.
Treatment:
Since the cause is still
unknown, treatment consists of behavioral changes, good sleep
hygiene and taking stimulants to help you be more alert. Limit
your naps to one (preferably in the afternoon) lasting no longer
than 45 minutes. Get at least 81/2 hours of sleep. Avoid shiftwork,
alcohol and caffeine.
Counseling
and Psychotherapy [ See
Therapy Section ]:
Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy to assist the patient adopt behavioral change
strategies.
Pharmacotherapy
[ See
Psychopharmacology Section ] :
