Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia) is a condition where people fall asleep repeatedly during the day.
Check if it's hypersomnia
Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia) is different from feeling tired all the time.
If you have hypersomnia, you may:
- regularly nap during the day
- fall asleep during the day
- still sleep for long hours at night
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
- you often fall asleep during the day
- sleepiness is affecting your life
What happens at your appointment
To find out why you're sleeping excessively, a GP might:
- ask you about possible causes of your sleepiness, such as mental or physical health problems, or any medicines you may be taking
- suggest you keep a diary of when you sleep
- refer you to a doctor who specialises in sleep disorders
Treatment for excessive sleepiness will depend on what's causing it. It may include medicine to help keep you awake.
Causes of hypersomnia
Sometimes other conditions may be related to excessive sleepiness (hypersomnia). These conditions can have additional symptoms.
| Additional symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
|
Feeling the need to sleep anywhere, sometimes without warning |
|
|
Loud snorting, breathing and snoring at night |
|
|
An unusual feeling in your legs, particularly at night |
|
|
Low mood, little interest in things |
|
|
Mood swings that range from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows |
|
|
Problems recovering after physical activity, problems with thinking, memory or concentration |
Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) |
Some medicines, drinking too much alcohol and taking drugs can also cause excessive daytime sleepiness.
Idiopathic hypersomnia
Idiopathic hypersomnia is when someone sleeps for long periods and wakes up feeling confused or irritable (known as sleep inertia) and not refreshed.
There's no known cause for idiopathic hypersomnia.
Things you can try to help your sleeping habits
Changing your sleep habits may not cure excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia), but it might help you feel better.
Try to:
- go to bed at the same time every night
- avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine
- create a peaceful sleeping environment
- if possible, avoid medicines that can cause drowsiness
- avoid working late into the night
It might also help to talk to your family and friends about your excessive daytime sleepiness so they're aware of it.
If you're diagnosed with hypersomnia you'll need to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and you may not be able to drive.
Find out about the rules on excessive sleepiness and driving from GOV.UK
Page last reviewed: 23 June 2023
Next review due: 23 June 2026