So what is Idiopathic Hypersomnia (IH)?
IH is a rare sleep disorder and common symptoms include:

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) – a persistent sense of brain fog, lack of energy, cognitive impairment, and exhaustion. It also includes sleep attacks, persistent drowsiness, and microsleeps.

Long Sleep Times – nighttime sleep ranging far above average 8-10 hours of sleep and includes difficulty waking up.

Sleep Inertia – a temporary sense of grogginess and disorientation upon waking up from sleep.

Unrefreshing Nighttime Sleep and Naps – evening sleep and naps regardless of length do not restore energy.

How is IH diagnosed?
Your doctor will examine you, your medical history, ask questions about your sleep patterns using a sleep scale, and may also ask you to keep a sleep diary. There are also two tests that are commonly used: 

Polysomnogram – takes place overnight in a sleep lab and monitors brain activity, heart rate, breathing, eye and leg movements, and oxygen.

Multiple sleep latency test – occurs after a polysomnogram and records the time it takes for you to fall asleep during a nap.

Want to learn more about IH and meet others like you?
Join us in Denver from September 29—October 1st for our 37th Annual Conference. This 2 & ½ day conference is a wonderful way to connect with others, learn from leading experts, and find support and new lifestyle hacks that help you cope with IH.

Want to learn more about clinical research?
Visit our Clinical Research webpage.