Sleep well, live well
Idiopathic Hypersomnia – 5 Things You Need to Know if You are Sleepy All the Time
- Imtiaz Ahmad MD, MPH, FCCP
- Updated on: January 27, 2024
- Hypersomnia, Sleep, Sleep & Health, Sleep & Lifestyle, Sleep Apnea
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Idiopathic hypersomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness that is not caused by another underlying medical condition. If you are constantly feeling tired and sleepy, here are five things you need to know about idiopathic hypersomnia:
5 Things about Idiopathic hypersomnia
- Symptoms: The main symptom of idiopathic hypersomnia is excessive daytime sleepiness, which is not relieved by napping. You may feel tired and sleepy throughout the day, even after a full night’s sleep. Other symptoms may include difficulty waking up in the morning, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, and feeling irritable or moody.
- Causes: Idiopathic hypersomnia has no clear cause, but it is thought to be caused by a problem with how the brain controls sleep. There may also be a part for some genetic and environmental factors.
Excessive sleepiness may be due to: A brain abnormality of unknown cause. For example, some people with idiopathic hypersomnia have low levels of the brain chemical histamine. Low-grade unknown infections (starting after a flu-like illness) or brain damage. - Diagnosis: To rule out other sleep disorders and medical diseases that could be causing your extreme tiredness, your doctor will first rule out idiopathic hypersomnia. A sleep study may also be performed to analyze your sleep patterns and rule out other sleep disorders.
- Treatment: Medication that aids in daytime wakefulness, like stimulants or wake-promoting drugs, is commonly used to treat idiopathic hypersomnia. Avoiding stimulants like caffeine and alcohol and maintaining a regular sleep schedule have both been linked to improved symptoms.
- Prognosis: Most persons who suffer from idiopathic hypersomnia can control their symptoms and return to a normal sleep schedule once they begin receiving treatment. Some people, however, may continue to suffer from extreme sleepiness even after receiving therapy; this can have serious consequences for their quality of life and ability to get things done. You and your doctor need to communicate well in order to figure out the best course of treatment.
Idiopathic hypersomnia symptoms are measured using the IHSS. The IHSS asks about daytime drowsiness frequency, severity, and its effects on everyday life. Idiopathic hypersomnia patients utilize the IHSS by evaluating each item on a scale of 0 to 3, with 0 indicating no symptoms and 3 indicating severe symptoms. Higher ratings indicate more severe effects after completion.
Interpreting the IHSS data can help guide treatment choices and keep track of how well treatments are working over time. For example, a higher number on the IHSS could mean that you need greater levels of treatment, like medicine or changes to your lifestyle, to deal with being too sleepy. On the other hand, a smaller number could mean that the treatment is working well and doesn’t need to be changed. It’s important to remember, though, that the IHSS is just one way to measure how bad idiopathic hypersomnia symptoms are. It should be used along with other clinical tests to get a full picture of a person’s situation and figure out the best way to help them.
QUESTIONS ABOUT A SLEEP ISSUE? LET’S TALK.
Imtiaz Ahmad, MD, MPH, FCCP
Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad is a highly qualified physician, Board Certified in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. He has been actively serving the community of Lee County, Florida since 2004, with a strong focus on a proactive healthcare approach. Dr. Ahmad has received advanced training from some of the most prestigious institutions, including Harvard University, Cornell University, State University of New York at Brooklyn, and the University of Mississippi. SOMNAS is a medical facility that is committed to improving and maintaining the health of patients with sleep disorders. The expert team at SOMNAS is known for their compassionate and high-quality care. They offer unparalleled treatment and care to patients on the Gulf Coast of Florida, ensuring a better and healthier life for them.
Job Title: Board Certified in Pulmonary Medicine
