What is idiopathic hypersomnia?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 60 years old female and have diabetes and liver fibrosis. I have been struggling with excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue for quite some time now, affecting my daily activities and overall quality of life. After doing some research, I came across idiopathic hypersomnia as a possible explanation for my symptoms. I am concerned that I might have a sleep disorder. Can you provide insights into idiopathic hypersomnia and recommend any appropriate medicines or treatments to help manage it?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I understand your concern.

You should do the following blood reports and investigations to rule out organic causes. I would like to give a brief about idiopathic hypersomnia. Idiopathic hypersomnia is indeed a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and difficulty waking up from sleep. It differs from other sleep disorders like narcolepsy in that individuals with idiopathic hypersomnia typically have long, unrefreshing naps rather than sudden sleep attacks. While there is no cure for idiopathic hypersomnia, there are treatments aimed at managing symptoms and improving quality of life. These can include:

Stimulant medications: Drugs like modafinil or armodafinil are often given to help promote wakefulness during the day.
Sodium oxybate: This medication can help improve nighttime sleep and reduce daytime sleepiness in some cases.
Lifestyle changes: Improving sleep hygiene, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and incorporating regular exercise into your routine can also help manage symptoms.

You must also check sugar and HB (hemoglobin) levels as it also causes hypersomnia and fatigue. please do polysomnography (a comprehensive test used to diagnose sleep disorders) to rule out sleep apnea.

Investigations to be done:

-CBC (complete blood count).

-Thyroid profile.

-Vitamin D3 and Vitamin B12.

-RBS (random blood sugar) polysomnography.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Regards.

Thank you.