Drowsiness, often mistaken for a lack of sleep or general fatigue, may have serious causes, according to a new study from the American Academy of Neurology. A study led by Dr. David T. Plant of the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that more people than previously thought suffer from a condition known as idiopathic hypersomnia.
Idiopathic hypersomnia is not just the usual sleepiness that can occur after a late night. People with this condition feel very sleepy during the day, have trouble waking up, and often feel confused. Research has shown that this disease may be more common than previously thought.
The research team analyzed the sleep data of 792 people, whose average age was 59 years, and found that 1.5% of them suffered from idiopathic hypersomnia. This is a big jump from the previously thought that 0.005% to 0.3% of people suffer from this disease.
The peculiarity of this condition is that people suffering from idiopathic hypersomnia fall asleep faster than usual. This happens almost twice as fast as usual.
The study also indicates that idiopathic hypersomnia is underdiagnosed, and many people who may suffer from the condition do not receive the help they need. The drowsiness they experience can be so severe that they may fall asleep while talking or even sitting in the car.
The research opens up new opportunities for better understanding of this condition and the development of effective treatments. Knowledge of the prevalence of idiopathic hypersomnia may contribute to further research into its causes and treatment.
