The diagnosis of idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) has continually evolved since its initial description as “sleep drunkenness” by Bedrich Roth in 1956.

IH is a neurological sleep disorder that affects an estimated 200,000 Americans. Symptoms typically begin in adolescence/young adulthood and manifest over weeks to months with key symptoms of difficulty staying awake/alert during the day (i.e., excessive daytime sleepiness) and falling asleep at unanticipated and inappropriate times. Patients also have trouble being roused from nighttime sleep or daytime naps and exhibit profound sleep inertia when awake. Excess sleep does not improve daytime sleepiness. Although the etiology is unknown, patients can have a family history of sleep disorders such as IH or narcolepsy. The condition severely impacts quality of life and employability, as well as posing safety risks due to impaired cognition, visual attention, and spatial memory.

What are your greatest concerns when treating IH? How do you treat IH, and what is patient response to treatment?

The diagnosis of idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) has continually evolved since its initial description as “sleep drunkenness” by Bedrich Roth in 1956.



IH is a neurological sleep disorder that affects an estimated 200,000 Americans. Symptoms typically begin in adolescence/young adulthood and manifest over weeks to months with key symptoms of difficulty staying awake/alert during the day (i.e., excessive daytime sleepiness) and falling asleep at unanticipated and inappropriate times. Patients also have trouble being roused from nighttime sleep or daytime naps and exhibit profound sleep inertia when awake. Excess sleep does not improve daytime sleepiness. Although the etiology is unknown, patients can have a family history of sleep disorders such as IH or narcolepsy. The condition severely impacts quality of life and employability, as well as posing safety risks due to impaired cognition, visual attention, and spatial memory.



What are your greatest concerns when treating IH? How do you treat IH, and what is patient response to treatment?

The diagnosis of idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) has continually evolved since its initial description as “sleep drunkenness” by Bedrich Roth in 1956.



IH is a neurological sleep disorder that affects an estimated 200,000 Americans. Symptoms typically begin in adolescence/young adulthood and manifest over weeks to months with key symptoms of difficulty staying awake/alert during the day (i.e., excessive daytime sleepiness) and falling asleep at unanticipated and inappropriate times. Patients also have trouble being roused from nighttime sleep or daytime naps and exhibit profound sleep inertia when awake. Excess sleep does not improve daytime sleepiness. Although the etiology is unknown, patients can have a family history of sleep disorders such as IH or narcolepsy. The condition severely impacts quality of life and employability, as well as posing safety risks due to impaired cognition, visual attention, and spatial memory.



What are your greatest concerns when treating IH? How do you treat IH, and what is patient response to treatment?

The diagnosis of idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) has continually evolved since its initial description as “sleep drunkenness” by Bedrich Roth in 1956.



IH is a neurological sleep disorder that affects an estimated 200,000 Americans. Symptoms typically begin in adolescence/young adulthood and manifest over weeks to months with key symptoms of difficulty staying awake/alert during the day (i.e., excessive daytime sleepiness) and falling asleep at unanticipated and inappropriate times. Patients also have trouble being roused from nighttime sleep or daytime naps and exhibit profound sleep inertia when awake. Excess sleep does not improve daytime sleepiness. Although the etiology is unknown, patients can have a family history of sleep disorders such as IH or narcolepsy. The condition severely impacts quality of life and employability, as well as posing safety risks due to impaired cognition, visual attention, and spatial memory.



What are your greatest concerns when treating IH? How do you treat IH, and what is patient response to treatment?