What is hypersomnia?

What is hypersomnia?

Here is a bit of information about hypersomnia – which if you are not sure what exactly it is – basically is where a person is getting too much or little sleep, or being unable to control their sleep patterns or sleepiness.

They include menstrual related hypersomnia and medical related hypersomnia. Hypersomnia is a serious sleep problem leading in some cases to either insomnia or the opposite uncontrollable falling asleep.

Narcolepsy

The best known of the hypersomnia group of conditions is Narcolepsy. It is estimated that one person in every 2000 has narcolepsy, although this could be more as it is believed that many people don’t report their narcolepsy.

The main cause is thought to be to be the bodies faulty control of its sleep awake cycle and of REM sleep in particular.

The main symptoms of Narcolepsy are insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness and uncontrollable sleep attacks. A friend of mine with narcolepsy has been known to fall asleep in mid conversation at a dinner party without warning. I know you are thinking – well what does that say about the company! – but there have been many more incidents of this.

Other symptoms of narcolepsy include:

1. Temporary paralysis when falling asleep or waking up

2. Hallucinations involving vivid images or sounds on falling asleep or
awakening

3. Moments or longer periods of trance like behaviour, where everyday activities are carried out on autopilot so that afterwards the sufferer can’t remember doing them

4. Waking up frequently during the night feeling alert and agitated

5. There may also be flushes and a rapid heartbeat

The condition can start earlier but usually narcolepsy begins between the ages of 20 and 40. It si thought to be linked to a lack of Orexin, a brain chemical that promotes alertness.

There are certain treatments which can help – these include stimulant drugs like Modafnil. There are also lifestyle changes and support and coping strategies through narcolepsy networks.

If you google Narcolpesy - you can find the Narcolepsy Association-they have a lot more information on support and help.

Dan Kennedy has written a free ebook on how to Cure Your Insomnia. To download it visit www.cure-your-insomnia.com