Herbie Murray
If someone is always sleeping, it could be a sign of hypersomnia, a sleep disorder characterised by excessive night-time sleeping and daytime napping. Idiopathic hypersomnia, for example, causes people to sleep for long periods and wake up feeling confused or irritable, without feeling refreshed. Another form of hypersomnia is narcolepsy, which causes abrupt sleep attacks during the day, usually lasting less than an hour. While narcolepsy is not dangerous on its own, it can make it difficult to perform certain activities, such as driving or swimming, which may become dangerous. Oversleeping may also be a side effect of certain medications or substances, or a sign of an underlying health condition such as heart disease, diabetes, or depression. If you or someone you know is experiencing excessive sleepiness, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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What You'll Learn
Hypersomnia
There are two main types of hypersomnia: primary and secondary. Primary hypersomnia occurs without an identifiable underlying condition and includes subtypes such as idiopathic hypersomnia, Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS), and narcolepsy. Idiopathic hypersomnia is the most common form, characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness without the presence of cataplexy or sleep paralysis, which are seen in narcolepsy. KLS is rare and causes individuals to sleep for 16 to 20 hours a day during episodes. Narcolepsy, on the other hand, is characterized by abrupt sleep attacks lasting less than an hour, after which the person may feel refreshed.
Secondary hypersomnia, on the other hand, is caused by an underlying medical condition or the use of certain medications or substances. Conditions associated with secondary hypersomnia include clinical depression, multiple sclerosis, encephalitis, epilepsy, obesity, sleep apnea, and various genetic disorders. Additionally, the use of alcohol, recreational drugs, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antihistamines can also contribute to secondary hypersomnia.
The treatment for hypersomnia aims to manage the disorder and improve sleep quality. This may include medications, lifestyle changes, and therapy. Lifestyle adjustments recommended by experts include avoiding cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks near bedtime; establishing a relaxation routine to reduce anxiety; regular exercise; maintaining a healthy weight; and eating a well-balanced diet. Additionally, minimizing environmental disturbances, such as noise or an uncomfortable mattress, can help improve sleep quality.
While hypersomnia itself is not life-threatening, it can significantly impact an individual's daily functioning and quality of life. It is important to seek professional help and work with a healthcare provider or sleep specialist to determine the underlying causes and develop an appropriate treatment plan for managing the disorder.
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Narcolepsy
Feeling sleepy all the time could be a sign of hypersomnia, a group of conditions that cause extreme sleepiness during the day. Narcolepsy is one form of hypersomnia.
Symptoms
The four main symptoms of narcolepsy are:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness: People with narcolepsy experience "sleep attacks", feeling very drowsy throughout the day and finding it difficult to concentrate and stay awake.
- Cataplexy: Temporary loss of muscle control resulting in weakness and possible collapse. This is often triggered by emotions such as laughter or anger.
- Sleep paralysis: A temporary inability to move or speak when falling asleep or upon waking up.
- Hypnagogic/Hypnopompic hallucinations: Vivid dreams that occur as you fall asleep or just before/after waking up.
Other symptoms include automatic movements, amnesia or forgetfulness, and sudden outbursts around sleep attacks.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for narcolepsy, but it usually responds well to treatment. Making changes to improve your sleeping habits, taking medication, and seeking therapy can help minimize the impact the condition has on your daily life.
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Lifestyle factors
Sleep Habits
Inconsistent sleep habits and a lack of quality sleep can contribute to hypersomnia. Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule and improving sleep hygiene are crucial. This includes reducing disturbances, such as avoiding screen time in the bedroom and minimizing noise and discomfort.
Diet and Substances
Cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks close to bedtime can disrupt sleep patterns. A well-balanced diet is essential to prevent nutritional deficiencies, and maintaining a healthy weight for your height is advised.
Mental Health
Anxiety and depression can impact sleep. Anxiety may keep someone awake at night, leading to daytime sleepiness, while depression saps energy, contributing to excessive sleep. Addressing these mental health concerns is vital for improving sleep.
Work and Environment
Shift work, especially night shifts, can disrupt the body's internal clock, making it challenging to get quality sleep. Environmental factors, such as a noisy or uncomfortable sleeping environment, can also contribute to broken sleep.
Medications
Certain medications, including tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antihistamines, can interfere with sleep patterns. It is important to discuss medication side effects with a healthcare provider to understand their impact on sleep.
It is important to note that while lifestyle adjustments can help manage hypersomnia, seeking professional advice from a healthcare provider or sleep specialist is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Underlying health conditions
Excessive sleepiness can be a symptom of an underlying health issue. While there are over 80 sleep disorders, there are a variety of other potential causes for excessive sleepiness, including:
Medication
The use of certain medications can lead to excessive sleepiness. These include alcohol, caffeine, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antihistamines, and sedatives. Additionally, stopping the use of some illicit or illegal drugs can also result in excessive sleepiness. Stimulating drugs like amphetamines or cocaine can have this effect.
Medical conditions
Excessive sleepiness can be a symptom of various medical conditions, including:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
- Oesophageal reflux
- Nocturnal asthma
- Chronic painful conditions
- Chronic insomnia
- Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders
- Sleep apnea
- Restless legs syndrome
- Sleep walking
- Narcolepsy
- Idiopathic hypersomnia
- Insomnia
- Congestive heart failure
- Osteoarthritis
- Parkinson's disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Diabetes
Lifestyle factors
Lifestyle factors can also contribute to excessive sleepiness. For example, shift work, family demands, studying, and social life can all impact sleep schedules and lead to inadequate sleep.
Mental health conditions
Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive disorders can also be underlying causes of excessive sleepiness. Research suggests that females are more likely to experience sleep disorders than males, and about half of all adults over the age of 65 have some type of sleep disorder.
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Treatment options
Experiencing excessive sleepiness or always feeling sleepy can be a symptom of hypersomnia. Hypersomnia is a group of conditions that share symptoms, the most common of which is idiopathic hypersomnia, which has no known cause. Other types of hypersomnia include narcolepsy, which causes abrupt sleep attacks, and secondary hypersomnia, which is caused by an underlying condition. Experiencing hypersomnia can impact your work and social life, as well as your relationships and quality of life.
If you are experiencing excessive sleepiness, it is recommended that you seek advice from a healthcare provider or a sleep disorder clinic. They can help diagnose and treat the condition, as well as rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing the sleepiness. Treatment options for hypersomnia include:
- Medications: Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to help manage the symptoms of hypersomnia.
- Changing your sleep habits: Improving your sleep hygiene by establishing a consistent bedtime routine and sleep environment can help you get a healthy amount of sleep every night. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and exercise a few hours before bed, as well as creating a comfortable and disturbance-free sleep environment.
- Therapy: Talking to a mental health professional can help you manage any underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety, stress, or depression, that may be contributing to your excessive sleepiness. Therapy can also help you process your feelings and concerns about the impact of hypersomnia on your life.
- Lifestyle adjustments: Identifying and addressing any lifestyle factors that may be contributing to your excessive sleepiness, such as nutritional deficiencies, physical inactivity, or disturbances in your sleep environment, can help improve your sleep quality.
- Sleep studies and tests: Your healthcare provider may recommend sleep studies and other tests to better understand your sleep patterns and identify any underlying conditions that may be causing your excessive sleepiness.
It is important to note that there is currently no cure for hypersomnia, but the above treatment options can help reduce the frequency and impact of symptoms. Seeking professional help and following up with your healthcare provider is crucial in managing hypersomnia and improving your overall quality of life.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping for long periods and feeling sleepy during the day could be a sign of hypersomnia, a group of conditions that cause excessive sleepiness. If you think you might have hypersomnia, you should speak to a healthcare professional.
People with hypersomnia find it difficult to stay awake and alert during the day, often falling asleep unintentionally. They may sleep for long periods at night (11-12 hours or more) but still feel the need to nap during the day.
The exact causes of hypersomnia are often unclear, but they can include lifestyle habits, medications, physical health, and emotional state. Environmental factors, shift work, mental states, and medical conditions can also cause broken sleep and daytime sleepiness.
Hypersomnia can sometimes be helped or cured with adjustments to lifestyle habits and sleep hygiene. This includes recommendations to avoid cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks near bedtime, as well as suggestions to exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and eat a well-balanced diet. In some cases, medication and therapy may also be recommended.
While hypersomnia and oversleeping are not life-threatening, they can significantly impact your quality of life and relationships. Additionally, oversleeping may indicate an underlying health condition and increase your risk of developing certain health issues. It can also make certain activities, such as driving or swimming, dangerous.
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