BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuIdiopathic hypersomniaHypersomnia - idiopathic; Drowsiness - idiopathic; Somnolence - idiopathicIdiopathic hypersomnia (IH) is a sleep disorder in which a person is excessively sleepy (hypersomnia) during the day and has great difficulty being awakened from sleep. Idiopathic means there is not a clear cause.HypersomniaDrowsiness refers to feeling more sleepy than normal during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep when they do not want to or at times whic...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes IH is similar to narcolepsy in that you are extremely sleepy. It is different from narcolepsy because IH doesn't usually involve suddenly falling asleep (sleep attacks) or losing muscle control due to strong emotions (cataplexy). Also, unlike narcolepsy, naps in IH are usually not refreshing.NarcolepsyNarcolepsy is a nervous system problem that causes extreme sleepiness and attacks of daytime sleep.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Symptoms often develop slowly during the teens or young adulthood. They include:Daytime naps that do not relieve drowsiness Difficulty waking from a long sleep -- may feel confused or disoriented (''sleep drunkenness'') Increased need for sleep during the day -- even while at work, or during a meal or conversation Increased sleep time -- up to 14 to 18 hours a dayOther symptoms may include:Anxiety AnxietyStress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stres...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Feeling irritated Loss of appetite Loss of appetiteA decreased appetite is when your desire to eat is reduced. The medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Low energy Restlessness Slow thinking or speech SpeechDysarthria is a condition in which you have difficulty saying words because of problems with the muscles that help you talk.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Trouble remembering Exams and Tests Your health care provider will ask about your sleep history. The usual approach is to consider other possible causes of excessive daytime sleepiness.Other sleep disorders that may cause daytime sleepiness include:Narcolepsy Obstructive sleep apnea Obstructive sleep apneaObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a problem in which your breathing pauses during sleep. This occurs because of narrowed or blocked airways.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Restless leg syndromeRestless leg syndromeRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system problem that causes you to feel an unstoppable urge to get up and pace or walk. You feel uncomforta...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other causes of excessive sleepiness include:Depression DepressionDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Certain medicines Drug and alcohol use Alcohol useAlcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to f...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Low thyroid function Low thyroid functionHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Previous head injuryTests that may be ordered include:Multiple-sleep latency test (a test to see how long it takes you to fall asleep during a daytime nap) Sleep study (polysomnography, to identify other sleep disorders)PolysomnographyPolysomnography is a sleep study. This test records certain body functions as you sleep, or try to sleep. Polysomnography is used to diagnose sleep...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A mental health evaluation for depression may also be done. Treatment Your provider will likely prescribe stimulant medicines such as amphetamine, methylphenidate, or modafinil. These medicines may not work as well for this condition as they do for narcolepsy.Other medicines for idiopathic hypersomnia, which are also commonly used for narcolepsy, include sodium oxybate (or oxybate salts) and newer wake-promoting agents such as pitolisant and solriamfetol.Lifestyle changes that can help ease symptoms and prevent injury include:Avoid alcohol and medicines that can make the condition worse Avoid operating motor vehicles or using dangerous equipment Avoid working at night or social activities that delay your bedtime When to Contact a Medical Professional Discuss your condition with your provider if you have repeated episodes of daytime sleepiness. They may be due to a medical problem that needs further testing.Open ReferencesReferencesAvidan AY. Sleep and its disorders. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 101.Dauvilliers Y, Bassetti CLA. Idiopathic hypersomnia. In: Kryger M, Roth T, Goldstein CA, Dement WC, eds. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 113. aughn BV, Basner RC. Sleep disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 374.AllVideoImagesTogSleep patterns in the young and aged - illustration Sleep patterns change with age, anxiety levels and many other factors. Normally, younger people have more concentrated periods of deep sleep compared to older people.Sleep patterns in the young and agedillustrationSleep patterns in the young and aged - illustration Sleep patterns change with age, anxiety levels and many other factors. Normally, younger people have more concentrated periods of deep sleep compared to older people.Sleep patterns in the young and agedillustrationRelated Information Drowsiness(Symptoms) Review Date: 4/10/2025 Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, VA New Jersey Health Care System, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Idiopathic hypersomniaHypersomnia - idiopathic; Drowsiness - idiopathic; Somnolence - idiopathicIdiopathic hypersomnia (IH) is a sleep disorder in which a person is excessively sleepy (hypersomnia) during the day and has great difficulty being awakened from sleep. Idiopathic means there is not a clear cause.HypersomniaDrowsiness refers to feeling more sleepy than normal during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep when they do not want to or at times whic...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes IH is similar to narcolepsy in that you are extremely sleepy. It is different from narcolepsy because IH doesn't usually involve suddenly falling asleep (sleep attacks) or losing muscle control due to strong emotions (cataplexy). Also, unlike narcolepsy, naps in IH are usually not refreshing.NarcolepsyNarcolepsy is a nervous system problem that causes extreme sleepiness and attacks of daytime sleep.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Symptoms often develop slowly during the teens or young adulthood. They include:Daytime naps that do not relieve drowsiness Difficulty waking from a long sleep -- may feel confused or disoriented (''sleep drunkenness'') Increased need for sleep during the day -- even while at work, or during a meal or conversation Increased sleep time -- up to 14 to 18 hours a dayOther symptoms may include:Anxiety AnxietyStress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stres...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Feeling irritated Loss of appetite Loss of appetiteA decreased appetite is when your desire to eat is reduced. The medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Low energy Restlessness Slow thinking or speech SpeechDysarthria is a condition in which you have difficulty saying words because of problems with the muscles that help you talk.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Trouble remembering Exams and Tests Your health care provider will ask about your sleep history. The usual approach is to consider other possible causes of excessive daytime sleepiness.Other sleep disorders that may cause daytime sleepiness include:Narcolepsy Obstructive sleep apnea Obstructive sleep apneaObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a problem in which your breathing pauses during sleep. This occurs because of narrowed or blocked airways.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Restless leg syndromeRestless leg syndromeRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system problem that causes you to feel an unstoppable urge to get up and pace or walk. You feel uncomforta...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other causes of excessive sleepiness include:Depression DepressionDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Certain medicines Drug and alcohol use Alcohol useAlcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to f...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Low thyroid function Low thyroid functionHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Previous head injuryTests that may be ordered include:Multiple-sleep latency test (a test to see how long it takes you to fall asleep during a daytime nap) Sleep study (polysomnography, to identify other sleep disorders)PolysomnographyPolysomnography is a sleep study. This test records certain body functions as you sleep, or try to sleep. Polysomnography is used to diagnose sleep...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A mental health evaluation for depression may also be done. Treatment Your provider will likely prescribe stimulant medicines such as amphetamine, methylphenidate, or modafinil. These medicines may not work as well for this condition as they do for narcolepsy.Other medicines for idiopathic hypersomnia, which are also commonly used for narcolepsy, include sodium oxybate (or oxybate salts) and newer wake-promoting agents such as pitolisant and solriamfetol.Lifestyle changes that can help ease symptoms and prevent injury include:Avoid alcohol and medicines that can make the condition worse Avoid operating motor vehicles or using dangerous equipment Avoid working at night or social activities that delay your bedtime When to Contact a Medical Professional Discuss your condition with your provider if you have repeated episodes of daytime sleepiness. They may be due to a medical problem that needs further testing.Open ReferencesReferencesAvidan AY. Sleep and its disorders. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 101.Dauvilliers Y, Bassetti CLA. Idiopathic hypersomnia. In: Kryger M, Roth T, Goldstein CA, Dement WC, eds. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 113. aughn BV, Basner RC. Sleep disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 374.
