Sleep Disorders Health Center
Sleep Disorders and Hypersomnia Treatment
Treatment for hypersomnia depends on the cause of the sleep disorder. For example, if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor may prescribe a treatment known as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to use when sleeping. With CPAP, you wear a mask over your nose that is hooked up to a machine that delivers a continuous flow of air into the nostrils. The pressure from air flowing into the nostrils helps keep the airways open.
If you are taking a medication that causes drowsiness, your doctor may suggest trying another drug instead. He or she may also suggest certain lifestyle modifications, such as going to bed earlier to try to get more sleep at night, and eliminating alcohol and caffeine consumption.
3 Real Women With 3 Real Sleep Problems
You take your shut-eye for granted, until you find yourself staring at the bedroom ceiling at 2:33 a.m. one predawn too many. And then -- finally -- it hits you: Could this be more than an off night? Could you have a sleep problem? If you do, getting to the bottom of the problem is important. Not catching enough ZZZs regularly can leave you feeling drained, depressed, anxious, stressed, and generally miserable. And it’s a vicious circle: The more stressed you are about being exhausted, the...
Read the 3 Real Women With 3 Real Sleep Problems article > >
You doctor can also prescribe various drugs to treat hypersomnia. These may include:
- Stimulants, such as Ritalin or Provigil
- Antidepressants, such as Prozac
- Xyrem (used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy)
WebMD Medical Reference
Sleep Disorders Guide
