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Narcolepsy and Hypersomnias (Excessive Sleepiness)

Hypersomnias refer to a group of disorders for which excessive daytime sleepiness is the core symptom.  This excessive daytime sleepiness cannot be due to insufficient sleep (sleep deprivation), disturbed nocturnal sleep, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, sleep-related breathing (sleep apnea) disorders or medical issues in order to be classified as a hypersomnia or narcolepsy.

The main types of hypersomnias include the following:

  • Narcolepsy (with or without cataplexy)
  • Idiopathic Hypersomnia
  • Recurrent Hypersomnia (Klein Levin Syndrome)

Diagnosis of these disorders is made based on clinical symptoms often combined with an overnight sleep study and a daytime nap study called a Multiple Sleep Latency Test.  Further blood tests and cerebrospinal fluid testing may be performed if narcolepsy is suspected.

You can read more about these disorders below.