Miya Pearson
Feeling sleepy during the day can be a symptom of hypersomnia, a condition that makes you feel extremely tired during the day. Hypersomnia can be caused by inadequate sleep, sleep disorders, medication, or medical and psychiatric illnesses. It can also be caused by environmental factors, such as shift work, or lifestyle factors, such as the use of certain drugs or alcohol. If you are experiencing hypersomnia, it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional as it may affect your ability to work or study and can increase the risk of accidents and injuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Excessive sleepiness during the day, even after a healthy amount of rest at night |
| Causes | Sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome), medication, medical or psychiatric illnesses, vitamin B12 deficiency, lifestyle factors (e.g., shift work, family demands), underlying health conditions |
| Symptoms | Falling asleep during the day without meaning to, feeling sleepy after a healthy amount of rest, sleeping longer than usual (more than 10-12 hours) but still feeling sleepy |
| Effects | Difficulty staying awake and alert during the day, higher risk of accidents and injuries, frustration and annoyance, impact on personal relationships, increased risk of health problems (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, stroke) |
| Treatment | Brief "power" naps during the day, medication to stay awake, lifestyle changes, seeking advice from a healthcare professional |
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What You'll Learn
Hypersomnia
There are two types of hypersomnia: primary and secondary. Primary hypersomnia occurs without another condition causing it. Idiopathic hypersomnia, the most common type, has no known cause. Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare form of primary hypersomnia that causes people to sleep for 16 to 20 hours a day during an episode. Narcolepsy, another form of primary hypersomnia, occurs when the brain cannot control sleep or wakefulness. Secondary hypersomnia is caused by other medical conditions or issues, such as alcohol or drug use, clinical depression, multiple sclerosis, encephalitis, epilepsy, or obesity. Genetic disorders such as Prader-Willi syndrome, Norrie disease, and Niemann-Pick disease type C have also been associated with primary hypersomnia. Head trauma may also lead to symptoms similar to those of idiopathic hypersomnia.
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Sleep disorders
Feeling sleepy during the day can be a symptom of a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders can be caused by lifestyle habits, medications, physical health, and emotional state. Sleep disorders include sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome, sleepwalking, narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, and insomnia.
Sleep Apnoea
Sleep apnoea is a disorder where a person's breathing stops or is reduced during sleep, sometimes every minute. This can cause sleep disruption or fragmented sleep.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome is a disorder characterised by an overwhelming urge to move one's legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. This can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, is a behaviour disorder that occurs during sleep. It involves getting up and walking while asleep, and can also include other activities such as sitting up in bed, walking to the bathroom, or even driving a car. Sleepwalking episodes can be frequent and prolonged, and the person affected may be confused and disoriented during the episode.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that affects the brain's control over sleeping and waking up, making it difficult to stay awake during the day. People with narcolepsy experience extreme sleepiness and uncontrollable urges to fall asleep, even after a full night's rest. These sleep periods are usually short, lasting about 15 to 30 minutes, and the person feels rested and ready to resume activities upon waking up. However, these episodes occur several times a day, making narcolepsy disruptive to daily life. Narcolepsy is treatable but not curable, and medications like wakefulness drugs are often used as a first-line treatment.
Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Idiopathic hypersomnia is a sleep disorder characterised by excessive night-time sleeping and the need for daytime naps. People with this disorder sleep for long periods and may wake up feeling confused, irritable, or not refreshed. There is no known cause for idiopathic hypersomnia, and it is treated with lifestyle adjustments to improve sleep quality, such as avoiding cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine before bed.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterised by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It can be caused by various factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, medication, and medical conditions. Treatment for insomnia may involve addressing the underlying causes, improving sleep habits, and sometimes medication.
If you are experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional as it may indicate an underlying sleep disorder or health condition.
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Health risks
Oversleeping or excessive daytime sleepiness (also known as hypersomnia) can be a symptom of underlying conditions, such as depression, illness, or a sleep disorder. It can also be caused by environmental factors like shift work, family demands, or social life. While the odd long sleep here and there is generally okay, regularly sleeping more than nine hours in 24 hours can be a cause for concern and may indicate an increased risk of certain health problems.
One of the major dangers of hypersomnia is the heightened risk of accidents, especially motor vehicle accidents. If you are diagnosed with hypersomnia, you may be prohibited from driving. Other risks associated with oversleeping include an increased risk of death from any cause, as well as a higher risk of dying from heart disease and stroke. Research has also shown that people who regularly sleep more than seven hours per night have higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation in the body, which is linked to an elevated risk of heart attack.
Oversleeping can also be a sign of other conditions, such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), or restless leg syndrome (RLS). Sleep apnea, for example, causes interruptions in breathing while you sleep and can lead to snoring or breathing pauses. Restless leg syndrome creates an overwhelming urge to move your legs due to tingling, creeping, or burning sensations. Other conditions that can interfere with sleep quality include bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching) and sleep paralysis.
If you are experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, it is recommended that you consult a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying conditions or sleep disorders. They may suggest a sleep study or other tests to determine the cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
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Lifestyle factors
Mental health and emotional states can also contribute to oversleeping. Anxiety, for instance, can keep a person awake at night, making them prone to sleepiness during the day. Other mental health conditions like depression have also been linked to excessive daytime sleepiness.
Substance use is another lifestyle factor that can impact sleep patterns. Alcohol, for instance, has sedating effects and can cause excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), making it difficult to stay awake. Recreational drugs, such as cannabis and opiates, can also affect sleep patterns and contribute to hypersomnia.
Nutrition and dietary habits are further lifestyle factors that can influence sleep. A well-balanced diet is essential for preventing nutritional deficiencies that can impact sleep. For example, a lack of vitamin B12 can lead to fatigue and low energy, potentially resulting in oversleeping.
Overall, addressing these lifestyle factors through adjustments to sleep habits, therapy, or medical treatment can help manage excessive daytime sleepiness and improve overall sleep quality.
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Treatment
Medications
Certain medications can help promote wakefulness and improve alertness during the day. These medications are typically prescribed by a doctor and are often used in conjunction with other treatments and behavioural modifications.
Sleep Hygiene Improvements
Sleep hygiene refers to practices that improve sleep quality and overall well-being. This includes establishing a consistent bedtime routine, avoiding substances like alcohol and caffeine, and creating a relaxing sleep environment. Improving sleep hygiene can help regulate sleep-wake cycles and enhance overall sleep quality.
Therapy
Behavioural therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), can be effective in treating underlying sleep disorders or mental health conditions contributing to hypersomnia. Therapy can help address anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues that may be disrupting sleep patterns.
Lifestyle Changes
Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a well-balanced diet can positively impact sleep quality. Additionally, addressing lifestyle factors such as substance use, sleep habits, and managing chronic conditions can help improve hypersomnia symptoms.
Specific Treatments for Sleep Disorders
If hypersomnia is caused by a specific sleep disorder, targeted treatments may be recommended. For example, sleep apnea can be treated with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, while narcolepsy may be managed through behavioural therapy, timed short naps, and proper sleep hygiene.
It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to accurately identify the cause of hypersomnia and develop an effective treatment plan. Treatment options may vary depending on the underlying cause, and it may take some time to find the most suitable approach.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping all day could mean that you have hypersomnia, a condition that makes you feel extremely sleepy during the day. It can be caused by sleep disorders, medication, or medical and psychiatric illnesses.
People with hypersomnia may sleep for long periods and wake up feeling confused or irritable (known as sleep inertia) and not refreshed. They may also fall asleep several times during the day, usually without meaning to.
If you think you might have hypersomnia, it is important to speak to a healthcare professional. They can help you modify your treatment plan or get support.
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