Idiopathic hypersomnia

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Sleep patterns in younger and older adults

Hypersomnia - idiopathic; Drowsiness - idiopathic; Somnolence - idiopathic

Symptoms often develop slowly during adolescence or young adulthood. They include:

• Daytime naps that do not relieve drowsiness
• Difficulty waking from a long sleep -- may feel confused or disoriented
• Increased need for sleep during the day -- even while at work, or during a meal or conversation
• Increased sleep time -- up to 14 - 18 hours per day

Other symptoms may include:

• Anxiety
• Feeling irritated
• Loss of appetite
• Low energy
• Restlessness
• Slow thinking or speech
• Trouble remembering

Cataplexy -- suddenly falling asleep or losing muscle control -- which is part of narcolepsy, is NOT a symptom of idiopathic hypersomnia.

The health care provider will take a detailed sleep history. Tests may include:

• Multiple-sleep latency test
• Sleep study (polysomnography, to identify other sleep disorders)

A psychiatric evaluation for atypical depression may also be done.

Review Date: 06/10/2011
Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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