HYPERSOMNIA : Sleep Disorder .
Dr. ANSHUL MAHAJAN
Hypersomnia means excessive sleepiness. There are many different causes, the most common in our society being inadequate sleep. This may be due to shiftwork, family demands (such as a new baby), study or social life. Other causes include sleep disorders, medication, and medical and psychiatric illnesses. Hypersomnia vary from one person to the next, depending on their age, lifestyle and any underlying causes. Under the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, daytime sleepiness is defined as ‘the inability to stay awake and alert during the major waking episodes of the day, resulting in unintended lapses into drowsiness or sleep’. In extreme cases, a person with hypersomnia might sleep soundly at night for 12 hours or more, but still feel the need to nap during the day. Sleeping and napping may not help, and the mind may remain foggy with drowsiness. It is possible that a person with hypersomnia may have very disturbed sleep but not be aware of it.
Symptoms of hypersomnia
• Feeling unusually tired all the time
• The need for daytime naps
• Feeling drowsy, despite sleeping and napping – not refreshed on waking up
• Difficulty thinking and making decisions – the mind feels ‘foggy’
• Apathy
• Memory or concentration difficulties
• An increased risk of accidents, especially motor vehicle accidents.
Causes of hypersomnia
• Insufficient or inadequate sleep
• Environmental factors
• Shiftwork
• Medical conditions
• Changes to time zone
• Sleep disorders
treatment of hypersomnia
Medication and counselling will be helpful.
Self-help strategies
Avoid cigarettes, alcohol and caffeinated drinks near bedtime.
Follow a relaxation routine to prevent night-time anxiety.
Exercise regularly and maintain a normal weight for your height.
Eat a well-balanced diet to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
If possible, change your environment to reduce disturbances – for example, don’t watch television in the
bedroom.
Be comfortable; make sure you don’t overheat or feel too cold in bed.
Have a regular sleeping routine so that your body ‘knows’ it is time to sleep.
Only go to bed when you feel sleepy.
If necessary, take brief ‘power’ naps during the day to help you stay alert and vigilant. Daytime napping is
generally not recommended when improved sleep is possible, as it can reduce the drive to sleep at night.
However, brief naps can be very valuable in occupational settings and on other occasions where
concentration is required, such as preparation for driving or in regular breaks on a long trip.For more support kindly contact at Manas Hospital, Near hotel ONN, Ludhiana
0161-4084555/4084666