In recognition of Idiopathic Hypersomnia Awareness Day on June 13, Piedmont Athens Regional is raising awareness about chronic sleep disorders and encouraging individuals experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness to speak with their primary care physician about possible causes and treatments.
Idiopathic hypersomnia is a rare neurological sleep disorder that causes people to feel persistently tired during the day, even after a full night’s sleep. Individuals with the condition often have a hard time waking up, may sleep for long periods of time, and typically do not feel refreshed after sleep or naps.
“Many people think that feeling tired during the day is normal, but persistent sleepiness can be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder,” said Joe Granato, manager of sleep medicine and neurophysiology services at Piedmont Athens Regional. “Conditions like idiopathic hypersomnia are often underdiagnosed, but effective evaluation and treatment options are available.”