Print OverviewIdiopathic hypersomnia is an uncommon sleep disorder that causes you to be very sleepy during the day even after a full night of good sleep. Its cause is unknown. It also often causes difficulty waking up after you've been asleep. If you take a nap, you generally don't feel refreshed and you may wake up confused and disoriented. The need to sleep can strike at any time, including when you're driving a car or working, which makes idiopathic hypersomnia potentially dangerous. The condition often develops gradually. Diagnosing idiopathic hypersomnia requires ruling out more-common sleep disorders. The aim of treatment is to control symptoms with medication.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health BookNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic By Mayo Clinic Staff Idiopathic hypersomnia care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Oct. 07, 2022 Print Show references Chervin RD. Idiopathic hypersomnia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 12,2022. Idiopathic hypersomnia. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/8737/idiopathic-hypersomnia. Accessed May 12, 2022. Trotti LM, et al. Idiopathic hypersomnia and other hypersomnia syndromes. Neurotherapeutics.2021; doi:10.1007/s13311-020-00919-1. Dauvilliers Y, et al. Safety and efficacy of lower-sodium oxybate in adults with idiopathic hypersomnia: A phase 3, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized withdrawal study. Lancet Neurology. 2022; doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00368-9. Littner MR, et al. Practice parameters for clinical use of the multiple sleep latency test and the maintenance of wakefulness test. Sleep. 2005; doi:10.1093/sleep/28.1.113. Inoue Y, et al. Efficacy and safety of modafinil in patients with idiopathic hypersomnia without long sleep time: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparison study. Sleep. 2021; doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2021.01.018. Sowa NA. Idiopathic hypersomnia and hypersomnolence disorder: A systematic review of the literature. Psychosomatics. 2016; doi:10.1016/j.psym.2015.12.006. Saini P, et al. Hypersomnia evaluation, treatment and social and economic aspects. Sleep Medicine Clinics. 2017; doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2016.10.013. Nguyen H. AllScripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. April 20, 2022. Maski K, et al. Treatment of central disorders of hypersomnolence: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2021; doi:10.5664/jcsm.9328. Related Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Idiopathic hypersomniaSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. NEW: Listen to Health Matters Podcast - Mayo Clinic PressNEW: Listen to Health Matters PodcastMayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceThe Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressThe Essential Diabetes BookMayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book CON-20313613 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Idiopathic hypersomnia