Hypersomnia, a sleeping disorder which is characterized as the complete opposite of insomnia, can also strike seniors and aging adults. By definition, hypersomnia is excessive sleepiness, be it daytime or nighttime. What seniors should know is that, more often than not, hypersomnia is a result of an existing condition or even a direct effect of your current lifestyle and habits. Below are some facts we seniors should take note of when dealing with hypersomnia:

•    Sleep apnea is a direct cause of hypersomnia. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it is but normal to experience hypersomnia. A person who has sleep apnea encounter breathing obstruction while sleeping and will result to a restless sleep, due to this, daytime sleepiness may occur.
•    Hypersomnia is usually diagnosed as fatigue or even depression—although wrongfully–since excessive sleepiness has no known cause to date. To avoid misdiagnosis, make sure you discuss with your health care provider other suspected reasons such as medications and such.
•    There are health conditions which result to hypersomnia such as thyroid problems and hypercalcemia—a condition in which there is too much calcium in the blood.
•    Hypersomnia is treatable. You just have to pinpoint its cause and treat it first.
•    Contact your healthcare provider if hypersomnia is already interfering with your everyday life such as falling asleep in awkward situations or inappropriate times. These are the indicators which signify your hypersomnia as being severe.
•    Your doctor will ask several unrelated questions to distinguish the cause of your condition. If he doesn’t then he is not doing it right since, like I have said earlier, hypersomnia has no known cause hence the need for thorough assessment. Expects questions about your sleeping patterns, emotional state and medications.
•    There will also be diagnostic tests if the cause is not obvious. Blood tests and CT scans are just some of the tests done to someone suffering from hypersonmia.
•    It is best if you bring your current medications when seeing a doctor for hypersomnia since it will be thoroughly inspected as well. Make sure you carry your prescription for dosage reference as well.
•    When trying to treat hypersomnia, it is strongly suggested that the senior stop alcohol consumption since it is a known sleep disruptor.
•    Hypersomnia affects your quality of life, make sure you consult a doctor upon first signs of excessive sleepiness.
•    Hypersomnia can be recurring; then there is a type when it affects you every single day.