Sleepiness, often mistaken for lack of sleep or general fatigue, may have serious causes, according to a new study from the American Academy of Neurology. The study, led by Dr. David T. Plant of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, found that more people suffer from the condition known as idiopathic hypersomnia than previously thought.
Idiopathic hypersomnia is not just a common sleepiness that can occur after a late night. People with this condition experience extreme sleepiness during the day, have trouble waking up, and often feel confused. A study has found that the condition may be more common than previously thought.
The research team analyzed sleep data from 792 people, with an average age of 59, and found that 1.5% of them had idiopathic hypersomnia, a big jump from the previously held belief that the condition affected between 0.005% and 0.3%.
What makes this condition unique is that people with idiopathic hypersomnia fall asleep faster than usual, 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 sleepiness they experience can be so severe that they may fall asleep while talking or even sitting in a car.
The study opens up new possibilities for better understanding this condition and developing effective treatments. Knowing the prevalence of idiopathic hypersomnia may help further research into its causes and treatments.
