What is it? This condition occurs when you are sleepy due to a medical illness or a problem involving the nerves or brain. You are still tired no matter how much sleep you get. If the medical problem or the nerve disorder goes away, then you will not be so sleepy.
This condition occurs when you are sleepy due to a medical illness or a problem involving the nerves or brain. You are still tired no matter how much sleep you get. If the medical problem or the nerve disorder goes away, then you will not be so sleepy.
Who gets it? There are many different medical problems that can cause you to be sleepy. These are just a few examples: Parkinson Disease Head trauma Brain tumors Brain infections Kidney failure Many of these problems can occur at any age and in either gender. This means that virtually anyone can get this disorder.
There are many different medical problems that can cause you to be sleepy. These are just a few examples:
Many of these problems can occur at any age and in either gender. This means that virtually anyone can get this disorder.
How do I know if I have it? Have you had an excessive level of sleepiness almost every day for at least three months? Do you have a medical or nerve disorder that may be the cause of your sleepiness? If you answered yes to these questions, then you might have hypersomnia due to medical condition. It is also important to know if there is something else that is causing your problem. It may be a result of one of the following: Another sleep disorder A mental health disorder Medication use Substance abuse
If you answered yes to these questions, then you might have hypersomnia due to medical condition.
It is also important to know if there is something else that is causing your problem. It may be a result of one of the following:
Do I need to see a sleep specialist? Usually your primary care doctor or specialist can recognize this sleep problem. A sleep specialist is unlikely to be needed. He or she may become involved if another sleep disorder is a suspected cause of your sleepiness. This would include a problem such as sleep apnea. A sleep specialist can help you determine if your sleep problem is caused by another sleep disorder.
Usually your primary care doctor or specialist can recognize this sleep problem. A sleep specialist is unlikely to be needed. He or she may become involved if another sleep disorder is a suspected cause of your sleepiness. This would include a problem such as sleep apnea. A sleep specialist can help you determine if your sleep problem is caused by another sleep disorder.
What will the doctor need to know? The doctor will need to know what medical or nerve related problem you might have. If you see your primary care doctor, then he or she should know all about your medical history. Tell your doctor how much sleep you get at night. Your doctor also needs to know if you have any problems breathing at night. Be sure to inform him or her if you snore or kick throughout the night.
The doctor will need to know what medical or nerve related problem you might have. If you see your primary care doctor, then he or she should know all about your medical history. Tell your doctor how much sleep you get at night. Your doctor also needs to know if you have any problems breathing at night. Be sure to inform him or her if you snore or kick throughout the night.
Will I need to take any tests? Typically, tests are not needed to diagnose this sleep problem. Usually a good medical history explains whether or not you have this sleep problem. Sleep studies are needed only if you have a primary sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. It is possible that you might be sleepy from both the underlying medical or nerve problem and a common sleep disorder like sleep apnea. It is important to have all of your medical and sleep problems diagnosed and treated. Then you will be able to feel your best.
Typically, tests are not needed to diagnose this sleep problem. Usually a good medical history explains whether or not you have this sleep problem. Sleep studies are needed only if you have a primary sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. It is possible that you might be sleepy from both the underlying medical or nerve problem and a common sleep disorder like sleep apnea. It is important to have all of your medical and sleep problems diagnosed and treated. Then you will be able to feel your best.
How is it treated? The most critical step is to have excellent care and management of the underlying medical or nerve problem that is the cause of your sleepiness. You also need to have good sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene consists of basic habits and tips that help you develop a pattern of healthy sleep. To start you need to wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. You should also get 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Do not take naps during the day if they make it hard for you to sleep at night. Remove from your bedroom anything that causes sleep interruptions. This might include pets, a radio or a TV. Alcohol and caffeine tend to keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. You should stay away from both of these substances before bed. In fact, you should not drink caffeine after lunch. If these steps fail to result in good sleep, then see your doctor. By David A. Kristo, MD Updated January 11, 2006
The most critical step is to have excellent care and management of the underlying medical or nerve problem that is the cause of your sleepiness. You also need to have good sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene consists of basic habits and tips that help you develop a pattern of healthy sleep. To start you need to wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. You should also get 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Do not take naps during the day if they make it hard for you to sleep at night. Remove from your bedroom anything that causes sleep interruptions. This might include pets, a radio or a TV. Alcohol and caffeine tend to keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. You should stay away from both of these substances before bed. In fact, you should not drink caffeine after lunch. If these steps fail to result in good sleep, then see your doctor. By David A. Kristo, MD Updated January 11, 2006
