Every individual has a specific sleep requirement. Some people require minimum 8 hours of sleep to feel great & continue their everyday activities but other may feel great with even just six to seven hours of sleep. But imagine a person who sleeps for more than ten hours and take frequent naps in the day and still feels to sleep more to be active for his everyday chores. There can be a bundle of reasons behind such a sleep pattern but sleep specialists define this condition as “idiopathic hypersomnia,” a serious sleep disorder with no known cause.
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Causes of Excessive Sleepiness
People who have idiopathic hypersomnia may have recurrent or constant episodes of extreme sleepiness. There are many causes which makes a person sleep for long hours such as:
- Narcolepsy
- Movement disorders during sleep
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Side effect of medicines
- Sleep deprivation
These causes can easily be managed by getting enough sleep or by paying off a sleep debt but Idiopathic hypersomnia, in contrast, persists even after a sleep debt is paid off.
Diet and Hypersomnia
Making appropriate lifestyle changes can help a person overcome the symptoms of idiopathic hypersomnia. One such lifestyle change is nothing but the food you eat. Diet and idiopathic hypersomnia have a close relationship because there are some foods that can greatly affect your sleeping pattern and aggravate hypersomnia symptoms. On the other hand, eating foods that helps to raise your energy levels and beat daytime tiredness can help treat hypersomnia by reducing hypersomnia-induced tiredness and anxiety.
Food Habits You Should Practice To Overcome Idiopathic Hypersomnia
To reduce the symptoms associated with hypersomnia, eating right is very essential. Eating the right combinations of food not only alleviates hypersomnolence but also keeps your body in shape & induces energy to feel energized all throughout the day.
Some good habits you can practice to fight idiopathic hypersomnia are:
- Eating right amount of carbohydrates – Carbohydrates helps the brain to produce serotonin, a sedating chemical that helps you to provide a relaxed state of mind. Having a carbohydrate rich dinner can help reduce the symptoms of hypersomnia.
Proteins packed breakfast – When you wake up in the morning, try to consume less carbohydrate food items. Instead, prepare yourself a protein rich breakfast. Proteins act as an energy booster for your body so that you can enjoy an energy packed day.- Avoid eating too frequently – Do not eat meals too frequently; eat after an interval of at least 4 hours. Excessive eating habits also contribute greatly to idiopathic hypersomnia.
- Healthy snacks – If you like to have snacks once in 4 hours to keep the body glucose levels normal, you can have a handful of peanuts or walnuts. They help your brain to stay active.
- Avoid alcohol – If you have a drinking habit and usually consumes alcohol before going to bed, try to avoid it. If possible, give up completely on alcohol. When you consume alcohol you may have a sound sleep for 3 to 4 hours but it’ll disrupt your normal sleeping pattern. You may find yourself awake in the middle of night, and to compensate the lost sleep you will again fell in the trap of irregular sleeping habits.
- Drink enough fluids – Consume at least 8 glasses of water every day. Water is a natural detoxifying agent. It will help your body to get rid of excess waste and keep your body active & light.
Following these mentioned food habits with proper everyday exercise of 30 to 45 minutes can help you overcome the symptoms of hypersomnia to a great extent.
