HYPERSOMNOLENCE DISORDER

This week we will focus on hypersomnolence disorders as discussion on sleep disorders continue. Hypersomnolence disorders are associated with excessive daytime sleepiness which is not due to a physical condition or sleep deprivation. It is a common disorder affecting 15 % of the population as per recent studies in the United States of America (USA).

The disorder is characterised by frequent naps, recurrent periods of sleep which are unintended, prolonged sleeping period that surpasses 9 hours and also feeling non-refreshed despite a greater amount of sleep. As per the ICD-10 Classification of Diseases, hypersomnia is characterised by “sleep drunkenness” as individuals take a long time to get fully awake. As this is a disorder, it means the aforementioned characteristics impacts on the individual’s social and occupational functioning, with one study highlighting that 30 % respondents feeling that the disorder impact with their quality of life.

There are many predisposing factors to hypersomnolence include among others an increase in brain chemicals. Hypersomnolence may occur on account of family history of hypersomnolence, head trauma, stress and because of medical problems like Alzheimer’s disease. It must however be noted that there may be hypersomnolence without cause known as idiopathic hypersomnia.

As a consequence of the daytime sleepiness, there is often cognitive impairments which puts individuals at an increased risk for injuries and accidents. In fact, in the USA, excessive daytime sleep is a public health problem that is implicated in 5th of motor vehicle accidents.

Can this excessive daytime sleepiness be addressed? Indeed, hypersomnolence can be addressed by both non-pharmacotherapeutic and pharmacotherapeutic means. In non-pharmacologic approach, interventions like good sleep hygiene practices to enhance good sleep and scheduled naps have been seen to reduce daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, there is a bit of documented evidence that some individuals will improve on account of having extended sleeping period of 10 hours or more. Uppermost alertness is the desired outcome for daytime functioning hence pharmacotherapy could help as specifically medical stimulants can be prescribed to deal with this problem.