Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Diagnosed and Treated by Sleep Specialists at Mercy
The physicians of The Lung Center at Mercy utilize a multidisciplinary approach to diagnose and treat excessive daytime sleepiness.
Excessive daytime sleepiness, also referred to as hypersomnia, may occur during the daytime despite having more than adequate nighttime sleep. Patients diagnosed with hypersomnia often experience a strong desire to rest or nap during the day at inappropriate times, such as work, school or social events, impacting daily life and overall well-being.
There are two main types of hypersomnia: primary and secondary. Potential causes of hypersomnia depend on the category of the diagnosis. Hypersomnia is more common in females than males and affects roughly five percent of the population in the United States.
Signs of hypersomnia typically appear in adolescence between the ages of 17 and 24 years old, but can occur at any age. Symptoms may include:
- Sleeping longer than average (10 or more hours)
- Decrease in energy
- Restlessness
- Episodes of extreme sleepiness during the day
- Anxiety or irritability
- Hallucinations
- Loss of appetite
A sleep specialist can provide a diagnosis based on medical, physical or family history. The doctor may also use the following tests to confirm hypersomnia:
- Sleep questionnaire
- Comprehensive sleep evaluation
The effectiveness of treatment depends on the cause of hypersomnia. Patients diagnosed with excessive daytime sleepiness may be treated with both medication approaches as well as lifestyle changes.