Uncovering the Prevalence of a Debilitating Sleep Disorder: Millions Affected
A new study suggests that idiopathic hypersomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness during the day despite getting enough sleep at night, may be more common than previously thought. The study found that 1.5% of the participants likely had the condition, a rate significantly higher than previous estimates. The researchers believe that the condition is underrecognized due to a lack of awareness and the need for expensive and time-consuming sleep testing for diagnosis. The findings highlight the need for increased efforts to identify, diagnose, and treat individuals with idiopathic hypersomnia.