Hypersomnia
What is Hypersomnia?
A condition in which sleep periods are excessively long
(but the person also has recurrent daytime sleepiness); affected patients do respond, normally in the intervals;
distinguished from somnolence.
Excessive or prolonged sleep, which may be associated with difficulty in awakening, staying awake or sleep drunkenness.
Examples:
A condition in which sleep periods are excessively long
(but the person also has recurrent daytime sleepiness); affected patients do respond, normally in the intervals;
distinguished from somnolence.
Excessive or prolonged sleep, which may be associated with difficulty in awakening, staying awake or sleep drunkenness.
Examples:
- Sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea,
- narcolepsy,
- nocturnal myoclonus,
- isolated sleep paralysis,
- idiopathic hypersomnia,
- respiratory muscle weakness associated sleep disorder.
Hypersomnia Types:
Primary hypersomnia
• I. Hypersomnia-bulimia syndrome of Klein-Levine Characterized by semiannual bouts of hyperphagia followed by a 2-5 day 'sleep-off', seen in young. (Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare disorder that causes recurring periods of excessive sleepiness. In some cases, this means up to 20 hours a day are spent sleeping. For this reason, the condition is commonly referred to as “sleeping beauty syndrome.”)
• II. Hypersomnia-sleep apnea syndrome A condition affecting obese and hypertensive middle-aged, which is characterized by daytime grogginess and loud snoring; these Pts are at risk for AMI and CVAs
Secondary hypersomnia A symptom caused by focal CNS (central nervous system) disease, eg brain tumors, especially those of the posterior hypophysis or diencephalon, encephalopathia lethargica and meningitis or systemic disease, eg hypothyroidism, trypanosomiasis
Primary hypersomnia
• I. Hypersomnia-bulimia syndrome of Klein-Levine Characterized by semiannual bouts of hyperphagia followed by a 2-5 day 'sleep-off', seen in young. (Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare disorder that causes recurring periods of excessive sleepiness. In some cases, this means up to 20 hours a day are spent sleeping. For this reason, the condition is commonly referred to as “sleeping beauty syndrome.”)
• II. Hypersomnia-sleep apnea syndrome A condition affecting obese and hypertensive middle-aged, which is characterized by daytime grogginess and loud snoring; these Pts are at risk for AMI and CVAs
Secondary hypersomnia A symptom caused by focal CNS (central nervous system) disease, eg brain tumors, especially those of the posterior hypophysis or diencephalon, encephalopathia lethargica and meningitis or systemic disease, eg hypothyroidism, trypanosomiasis
Key points
What causes hypersomnia?
Primary hypersomnia is thought to be caused by problems in the brain systems that control sleep and waking functions.
Secondary hypersomnia is the result of conditions that cause fatigue or insufficient sleep. For example, sleep apnea can cause hypersomnia because it can cause trouble breathing at night, forcing people to wake up multiple times throughout the night.
Some medications can also cause hypersomnia. Frequent drug and alcohol use may trigger sleepiness during the day. Other possible causes are low thyroid function and head injury.
Who is at risk for hypersomnia?
People with conditions that make them tired during the day are most at risk for hypersomnia. These conditions include sleep apnea, kidney conditions, heart conditions, brain conditions, atypical depression, and low thyroid function.
The American Sleep Association states that the condition affects men more than women.
People who smoke or drink regularly are also at risk of developing hypersomnia. Medications that cause drowsiness can have side effects similar to hypersomnia.
What are the symptoms of hypersomnia?
The main symptom of hypersomnia is constant tiredness. People with hypersomnia may take naps throughout the day without ever relieving drowsiness. They also have difficulty waking from long periods of sleep.
- Hypersomnia is a disorder that causes you to feel excessively tired, even when you’ve had enough sleep.
- Hypersomnia can affect your ability to work, drive a car, and stay healthy if you don’t receive treatment.
- Medication and lifestyle changes can reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
What causes hypersomnia?
Primary hypersomnia is thought to be caused by problems in the brain systems that control sleep and waking functions.
Secondary hypersomnia is the result of conditions that cause fatigue or insufficient sleep. For example, sleep apnea can cause hypersomnia because it can cause trouble breathing at night, forcing people to wake up multiple times throughout the night.
Some medications can also cause hypersomnia. Frequent drug and alcohol use may trigger sleepiness during the day. Other possible causes are low thyroid function and head injury.
Who is at risk for hypersomnia?
People with conditions that make them tired during the day are most at risk for hypersomnia. These conditions include sleep apnea, kidney conditions, heart conditions, brain conditions, atypical depression, and low thyroid function.
The American Sleep Association states that the condition affects men more than women.
People who smoke or drink regularly are also at risk of developing hypersomnia. Medications that cause drowsiness can have side effects similar to hypersomnia.
What are the symptoms of hypersomnia?
The main symptom of hypersomnia is constant tiredness. People with hypersomnia may take naps throughout the day without ever relieving drowsiness. They also have difficulty waking from long periods of sleep.
Other symptoms of hypersomnia include:
- low energy
- irritability
- anxiety
- loss of appetite
- slow thinking or speech
- difficulty remembering
- restlessness
How is hypersomnia diagnosed?
To diagnose hypersomnia, your Homeopath will review your symptoms and medical history.
Doctors use several tests to diagnose hypersomnia, including:
To diagnose hypersomnia, your Homeopath will review your symptoms and medical history.
Doctors use several tests to diagnose hypersomnia, including:
- Sleep diary: You record sleep and awake times through the night to track sleeping patterns.
- Epworth Sleepiness Scale: You rate your sleepiness to determine the severity of the condition.
- multiple sleep latency test: You take a monitored nap during the day. The test measures the types of sleep you experience.
- Poly-somnogram: You stay at a sleep center overnight. A machine monitors brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, oxygen levels, and breathing function.
What are the treatment options for hypersomnia?
Treatments for this condition can vary, depending on the cause of your hypersomnia.
Lifestyle changes are a critical part of the treatment process. Your Homeopath, Dr. Mansi, may recommend getting on a regular sleeping schedule. Avoiding certain activities can also improve symptoms, especially around bedtime. Most people with hypersomnia shouldn’t drink alcohol or use drugs. Dr. Mansi may also recommend a high-nutrition diet to maintain energy levels naturally.
Treatments for this condition can vary, depending on the cause of your hypersomnia.
Lifestyle changes are a critical part of the treatment process. Your Homeopath, Dr. Mansi, may recommend getting on a regular sleeping schedule. Avoiding certain activities can also improve symptoms, especially around bedtime. Most people with hypersomnia shouldn’t drink alcohol or use drugs. Dr. Mansi may also recommend a high-nutrition diet to maintain energy levels naturally.
Homeopathic Approach
This is not just an attitude problem, but is due to an internal imbalance that needs to be addressed on a deeper, or constitutional level. In Homeopathy there is no specific treatment for hypersomnia per se, because homeopathy rather than trying to diagnose the particular type of the ailment a person is experiencing, looks at each person as a completely unique individual.
The homeopathic “constitutional” approach is one of discovering the individuality of the person suffering from the complaint by taking a holistic portrait that is not only based on the symptoms experienced during a hyper-sleepy episode, but also understanding the personality and individual temperament. The idiosyncrasies that are often ignored in other modalities of treatment may be of great importance in homeopathy as they can help to determine the specific homeopathic remedy.
This is not just an attitude problem, but is due to an internal imbalance that needs to be addressed on a deeper, or constitutional level. In Homeopathy there is no specific treatment for hypersomnia per se, because homeopathy rather than trying to diagnose the particular type of the ailment a person is experiencing, looks at each person as a completely unique individual.
The homeopathic “constitutional” approach is one of discovering the individuality of the person suffering from the complaint by taking a holistic portrait that is not only based on the symptoms experienced during a hyper-sleepy episode, but also understanding the personality and individual temperament. The idiosyncrasies that are often ignored in other modalities of treatment may be of great importance in homeopathy as they can help to determine the specific homeopathic remedy.
Top Homeopathic Medicines for Sleep Disorders
– Can sleep only till 3 am.; later only dozes – Extremely alert sleep. Disturbed by dreams; wakes with a start – Excessive mental activity, flow of idea result in nervous excitement. – Sleeplessness during pregnancy with flow of ideas – Sleep disturbed by itching of anus – A sudden joyful news or surprise may cause sleeplessness; associated with irregular violent |
– Dreams full of anxious moments – Business troubles leading to sleeplessness (Bry) – May be associated with nymphomania in women – Cannot sleep in new places and in the presence of unfamiliar people – Limbs to go sleep on slightest pressure; arms go to sleep (go numb) while lying down – Worse by music, any unusual thing |
– When mental irritation or pain is the cause – In wakeful sleep resulting due to exhaustion – Especially useful in nervous people and aged people with insomnia – Mentally worries, hypochondriac, overworked people with a tendency to convulsions – May be associated with night cough |
One has to be very careful to put an end to a maintaining cause if any (like smoking or alcohol abuse, etc.) in order to get lasting relief. But with proper selection of the right homeopathic remedy, a person can enjoy his natural right to sleep well and to feel refreshed in the morning!
Sources:
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/hypersomnia
http://www.jbbardot.com/homeopathic-disorders-treatment/
http://naturalexis.com/hypersomnia_causes_and_symptoms_too_much_sleep_treatment.html
https://www.howsleepworks.com/disorders_hypersomnia.html
http://www.healthline.com/health/hypersomnia#overview1
http://www.positivehomeopathy.com/homeopathy/diseases/sleep-apnea/
https://psychcentral.com/disorders/hypersomnia-symptoms/
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/hypersomnia
http://www.jbbardot.com/homeopathic-disorders-treatment/
http://naturalexis.com/hypersomnia_causes_and_symptoms_too_much_sleep_treatment.html
https://www.howsleepworks.com/disorders_hypersomnia.html
http://www.healthline.com/health/hypersomnia#overview1
http://www.positivehomeopathy.com/homeopathy/diseases/sleep-apnea/
https://psychcentral.com/disorders/hypersomnia-symptoms/