Sleepiness in the day (severe and unexplained)
What to do
See your GP if you're constantly drowsy during the day and it's affecting your everyday life. They'll want to know about your sleeping habits, how much sleep you get at night, if you wake during the night, and whether you fall asleep during the day.
They will also want to know if you have any emotional problems, such as depression , or if you're taking any medicationthat could explain your hypersomnia.
Your GP may also suggest keeping a diary of your sleeping patterns and sleepiness levels for a few weeks, or filling in a questionnaire called the Epworth sleepiness scale to assess whether you're excessively sleepy during the day.
If necessary, your GP can refer you to a doctor specialising in sleep disorders for tests to help diagnose the cause of your symptoms.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about idiopathic hypersomnia, an unexplained condition that causes you to feel very sleepy during the day, despite getting a good night's sleep.
Signs and symptoms
People with idiopathic hypersomnia struggle to stay awake during the day and are usually compelled to take frequent long naps. These may be prolonged or at inappropriate times such as during a convers
What to do
See your GP if you're constantly drowsy during the day and it's affecting your everyday life. They'll want to know about your sleeping habits, how much sleep you get at night, if you wake during the n
Seeing a sleep specialist
A number of tests can be carried out to assess your sleep and help identify any underlying cause. These are usually carried out at a specialist sleep centre. Two of the main tests used are: Polyso
Managingidiopathic hypersomnia
Idiopathic hypersomniadoesn't usually get better by itself. Many people find that the symptoms improve with treatment. Medication There are no medicines specifically designed to treat idiopathic hyp
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