What is Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS)?

Also known as: EDS, idiopathic hypersomnia, narcolepsy, hypnolepsy, paroxysmal sleep

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) is a neurological disorder in which there is a sudden uncontrollable urge to sleep. These attacks of sleepiness may occur often during the day or only occasionally, and episodes may be mild/ moderate or severe. Children complain that they feel tired all the time and fall asleep at unusual times. They may have vivid nightmares or sudden loss of muscle control and fall to the ground. It occurs in boys and girls equally, usually in their teens, and in people of all races.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM