Sleep Conditions > Recurrent Hypersomnia > (Sleep Conditions Home or All Sleep Conditions)

Recurrent Hypersomnia

Description

The most well known form of recurrent hypersomnia is called Kleine-Levin Syndrome. Sufferers experience periods of hypersomnia, or excessive sleeping, coupled with binge eating or increased sexuality. These periods last from several days to several weeks and generally occur several times a year. During these episodes, patients may sleep as much as 20 hours a day, only waking to eat or go to the bathroom.

Diagnosis

This disorder is diagnosed in patients who complain of excessive sleepiness, and in turn have yearly bouts of hypersomnia. They may also associate these times with binge eating and hypersexuality. The hypersomnia cannot be attributed to other mental or physical conditions, and the other diagnosed symptoms cannot be a result of another sleep disorder. Severe sufferers experience more than two of these episodes a year which can lead to social or work-related problems.

Treatment

Hypersomnia is generally treated through medication, paired with proper sleep hygiene which includes avoidance of alcohol and caffeine, getting daily exercise and maintaining a normal time to sleep and wake-up. Prescribed medication can include amphetamine, methylphenidate and other stimulants.

Source: Adapted from International Classification of Sleep Disorders Diagnostic & Coding Manual, American Academy of Sleep Medicine.