What is Narcolepsy?

A condition, narcolepsy is characterized by uncontrollable sleepiness and sleeping during the daytime. The cause of narcolepsy is still unknown, but it is apparent that conditions that cause insomnia, such as an unbalanced sleep life, can exacerbate this condition. Studies have suggested that this condition is genetic and they also show that the problem is found within the brain?s function to transition between the waking and slumbering state, although no one understands yet what the problem exactly is. Episodes of narcolepsy are commonly preceded by periods of drowsiness and fatigue. These episodes commonly happen after a meal is consumed, but can happen at anytime where there is no stimulation present. Once the episode ends, the patient awakens feeling refreshed with the possibility of another episode coming again at anytime.

Narcolepsy also goes along with another condition called cataplexy, which refers to uncontrollable loss of tone of any muscles. Weakness can be present during each episode as the patient switches from the sudden onset of slumber to the waking state. This is termed as sleep-paralysis. Patients can also experience hallucinations during this transition between waking and sleeping that seem very real and may be hard to shake.

What are the Symptoms of Narcolepsy?

Symptoms of narcolepsy include: an uncontrollable urge to sleep during the daylight hours (termed as hypersomnia), constant drowsiness/fatigue, a feeling of being refreshed and awake immediately after each episode, hallucinations that can be present before or during slumber, unexpected, uncontrollable loss of muscle tone (cataplexy) that can be linked to laughter or anger, and may be similar in appearance to seizures, and a fleeting incapacity in muscle use that may be found during the waking state or during the drowsiness found beforehand (sleep paralysis). There is no way to successfully prevent the attacks of narcolepsy, but treatment of this condition may decrease the amount of episodes. Consult your primary physician on the best treatment for you.