Hypersomnia
(Also Known As: Hipersomnia, Insomnia, Primary Hypersomnia, Recurrent Hypersomnia, Idiopathic Hypersomnia, Prolonged Nighttime Sleep, Kleine-Levin Syndrome, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, EDS, Apnea, Sleep Problem, Restless Leg Syndrome)
(Reviewed by: Paul Peterson, Licensed Therapist)
What is Hypersomnia?
Hypersomnia is a neurological condition which refers to a set of related disorders that manifests somnolence, also known as excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or prolonged nighttime sleep. Most conditions of Hypersomnia are hard to classify and idiopathic. However, there are two main categories of Hypersomnia and both types are portrayed by similar signs and symptoms, differing only in the rate of which they occur.
Classification of Hypersomnia:
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Primary Hypersomnia which is also referred to as Idiopathic Hypersomnia, is established when no other cause for excessive somnolence transpiring for at least 1 month can be found. When the condition manifests periods of excessive sleepiness lasting for at least 3 days and occurring several times a year within a period of 2 years, it would then be referred to as a Recurrent Hypersomnia.
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Recurrent Hypersomnia on the other hand, involves periods of excessive somnolence lasting from one or more days, recurring within a year or more. One of the most famous forms of Recurrent Hypersomnia is Kleine-Levin syndrome, which is a relatively rare condition, comprising of recurrent periods of prolonged sleep with intervening periods of normal sleep and alert awakening.
Hypersomnia in most cases last for one week or more and are experienced by patients for over a year. The major differentiating trait between Recurrent Hypersomnia and Primary Hypersomnia is that patients with the former, experience an extended phase where no signs or symptoms of the disease are manifested. Conversely, patients suffering from Primary Hypersomnia are affected by it almost incessantly.1
Could You Have Hypersomnia?
Hypersomnia Topics
Related Conditions
| Dyssomnia – Difficulty Staying Asleep, Difficulty in Falling Asleep, Insomnia, Intermittent Wakefulness |
| Narcolepsy – Chronic Sleep Disorder, Sudden Attack of Sleep, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Falling Asleep at Inappropriate Times |
| Nightmare Disorder – Dream Anxiety Disorder, Nightmare, Sleep Disorder, Moaning, Frightening Dreams |
| Parasomnia NOS – Abnormal Movements, Emotions and Behaviors and Dreams While Sleeping, Somnambulism, Night Terror, Bruxism, Restless Leg Syndrome, Periodic Limb Movement Disorder |
| Primary Sleep Disorder – Hypersomnia, Insomnia, Narcolepsy, Breathing Related Sleep Disorder, Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder |
| Sleep Terror Disorder – Extreme Terror, Temporary Lack of Consciousness After Waking Up, Gasping, Moaning, Screaming |
| Sleepwalking Disorder – Somnambulism, Performing Actions as if Awake While Sleeping |
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