What is hypersomnia?

What is hypersomnia?

Irshaad Ebrahim (Medical Director of The London Sleep Centre) gives expert video advice on: What is hypersomnia?; Is hypersomnia common?; Is hypersomnia harmful? and more...

Hypersomnia refers to excessive need for sleep or excessive sleepiness. Hypersomnia is a characteristic symptom of narcolepsy, but it may also be a condition on its own. One could be sleepy without having narcolepsy or having another sleep disorder. The condition is then called primary hypersomnia because it is sleepiness without a known or identifiable cause.