For many people, taking a nap during the day is an exercise in luxury as for them it is a way to relax and be refreshed as the day goes along. But for others, daytime napping is a real problem. It can disrupt everyday tasks without providing any real restorative or restful benefits.

People who struggle with significant daytime sleepiness that isn’t helped by napping may have hypersomnia. This condition can have major impacts on a person’s life, health, and overall well-being. Most people who have daytime fatigue don’t have hypersomnia, but people who have found that they have persistent or worsening issues in this regard may benefit from talking to their doctor about this issue.

Hypersomnia is a medical condition marked by persistent daytime sleepiness. It is distinct from just being sleepy because of a bad night’s sleep. Instead, hypersomnia causes a feeling of excessive tiredness and need to nap multiple times per day including at inappropriate times. Even if a person with hypersomnia naps several times during the day, it usually does not make them feel less tired. This daytime fatigue may occur even if a person with hypersomnia gets regular sleep during the night.

Symptoms of Hypersomnia

• excessive daytime sleepiness

• low energy.

• irritability.

• anxiety.

• loss of appetite.

• slow thinking or speech.

• difficulty remembering.

• restlessness.

Causes of Hypersomnia

Other sleep problems: people who deal with other sleep-related problems like obstructive sleep apnea or even narcolepsy may wind up having hypersomnia (although there are usually distinctions between narcolepsy and hypersomnia itself).

Drug or alcohol abuse: people who use many drugs or alcohol in significant quantities can suffer from general sleep problems as well as hypersomnia. With alcohol, it can have an especially negative effect when it is consumed later in the evening closer to bedtime.

Other physical conditions: people who have had injuries to the head or nervous system may develop hypersomnia as a consequence. Tumors, depression, multiple sclerosis, and even obesity may contribute to hypersomnia.

Medications: some medications can cause someone to have hypersomnia, and in addition, withdrawal after taking some medications can cause this issue in certain people.

Genetics: though not clearly defined, there is some indication that genetics may influence the risk of hypersomnia.

Hypersomnia Treated

Medications: medications to treat this often include stimulants, but other types of medications may also be employed. Often the goal of stimulants is to keep a person from falling asleep during the day.

Lifestyle changes: some changes that may be suggested involve eliminating alcohol and caffeine from a person’s regular diet, and other dietary changes may be recommended. Avoiding shift work or night shifts and other social engagements that push back a person’s bedtime may be another approach for trying to reduce the severity of hypersomnia.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): talk therapy that tries to resolve underlying mental stressors or conditions may prove beneficial for some patients whose hypersomnia may be related to pre-existing mental health issues.

Dr Anshul Mahajan