What is narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a malfunction of the sleep/wake regulating system in the brain which until recently was of unknown origin. Its most common manifestation is Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and sleep attacks. The other conspicuous symptom is a sudden loss of muscular control triggered by amusement, anger or excitement which is called cataplexy. Other symptoms of narcolepsy are: • Temporary paralysis on falling asleep or awakening (sleep paralysis). The periods of paralysis are usually brief – a few minutes – but can persist for up to 30 minutes. Episodes of sleep paralysis may alarm patients, particularly those who experience the sensation of being unable to breathe. • Hallucinations – vivid images or sounds – on falling asleep or awakening (Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations respectively). These hallucinations frequently combine elements of dream sleep and consciousness and are often very disturbing to patients. • Moments (but sometimes extended periods) of trance-like behaviour in wh
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder with no known cause. Its onset can occur at any time throughout life, but its peek onset is during the teen years. The main characteristic of narcolepsy is excessive and overwhelming daytime sleepiness, even after adequate nighttime sleep. A person with narcolepsy is likely to become drowsy or to fall asleep, often at inappropriate times and places. Daytime sleep attacks may occur with or without warning and may be irresistible. They may also experience periods of catalepsy, temporary decrease or loss of muscle control, especially when getting excited. Hypnagogic hallucinations, vivid, often frightening, dream-like experiences, occur while falling asleep or waking up. Sleep paralysis, temporary inability to talk or move when falling asleep or waking up. It may last a few seconds to minutes. In addition, nighttime sleep may be fragmented with frequent awakenings. Daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations can also occur in p
Narcolepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the main symptom and is present in 100% of patients with narcolepsy. Other primary symptoms of narcolepsy include: • loss of muscle tone (cataplexy), • distorted perceptions (hypnagogic hallucinations), and • inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis). Additional symptoms include disturbed nocturnal sleep and automatic behavior (patients carry out certain actions without conscious awareness). All of the symptoms of narcolepsy may be present in various combinations and degrees of severity. Narcolepsy usually begins in teenagers or young adults and affects both sexes equally. The first symptom to appear is excessive daytime sleepiness, which may remain unrecognized for a long time in that it develops gradually over time. The other symptoms can follow excessive daytime sleepiness by months or years. How common is narcolepsy? The prevalence of narcolepsy is similar to that of Parkinson’s d
