Narcolepsy is an uncommon sleep disorder whose main symptom is powerful daytime sleepiness. During the day, a person with narcolepsy may be overwhelmed with sleepiness, fall asleep for 10-20 minutes, wake up refreshed but within 1 or 2 hours begin to feel sleepy again. The sleepiness usually occurs in situations when the person is quiet, inactive or bored (for example, listening to a boring lecture, play or movie). At first the person can usually fight the sleepiness, but over time the sleepiness can be overwhelming and at least a brief nap is needed.
Narcolepsy
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 2 AnswersIf you've been diagnosed with narcolepsy, I'm going to ask you to make some changes.
1. Tell the people who need to know. Your teachers. Your coworkers. Your boss. Explain your situation and your needs, and emphasize that you still aim to be a responsible fully accountable person. Most people understand, once they know what's going on, and will even be helpful.
2. Schedule your day so you can take a 10- to 15-minute nap after breakfast and lunch. If you're at work or school, escape to a designated office, under a tree, or in your car (if it's in a safe spot).
3. Eat light during the day. Switch to low carbohydrates, low fat meals. Vegetarian meals are great. Avoiding heavy, high-fat meals will help you stay alert. In the evening, eat your normal fare.
4. Consider getting an assistance dog. An assistance dog can nudge you awake, especially if there's danger, and protect you if you have a cataplexy (sudden muscle tone loss) attack in public.
5. Join a support group online. You may be surprised how many people experience the same types of situations you do, and have found tricks to avoiding them.
6. Practice good ol' regular sleep habits. That means no caffeine, alcohol or exercise several hours before bed. But do get regular exercise. Don't smoke. Go to bed before 11 p.m., and at the same time each night. And make your sleeping environment dark, quiet, comfy and safe.
Take on one thing at a time over the next three months. By the end of 90 days, you'll find these habits are a natural part of your life. -
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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answeredSee All 4 AnswersThe treatment for narcolepsy usually involves taking medications to reduce sleepiness during the day and in those who have cataplexy, other medications to prevent cataplexy. The medications to prevent sleep during the day are a group of medicines called stimulants that includes Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, Provigil and others. Cataplexy is usually treated with antidepressant medications that repress REM (dreaming) sleep such as Tofranil, Norpramin, Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft.
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Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answeredSee All 2 AnswersThere is currently no cure for narcolepsy. Prescription medications and behavioral changes can help you manage its symptoms, however. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
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Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answeredSee All 3 Answers
Narcolepsy cannot be diagnosed from symptoms alone, as many other sleep disorders can cause the same symptoms. Therefore, you will most likely be tested at a sleep center. During a sleep study, you stay in a sleep lab. As you sleep, your brain, heart, lungs, and muscles will be monitored. A doctor will evaluate the test results. Your doctor may also recommend a spinal tap to measure your level of hypocretin, a brain chemical that helps control sleep.
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Dr. Michael Breus, PhD , Psychology, answeredSee All 2 AnswersWhat are the signs of narcolepsy?
• Excessive daytime sleepiness is typically the first symptom of narcolepsy. It’s the overwhelming need to sleep when you prefer to be awake.
• Narcolepsy is typically associated with a sudden weakness or paralysis often initiated by laughter or other intense feelings, sleep paralysis, an often frightening situation--where you are half awake yet cannot move--and intensely vivid and scary dreams occurring at the onset or end of sleep.
• A narcoleptic may also experience “automatic behavior,” in which you perform routine or boring tasks but can’t remember doing so later. -
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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answeredSee All 4 Answers
One of the main symptoms of narcolepsy is extreme sleepiness during the day. A person with narcolepsy may also have symptoms when falling asleep or waking up in which they are unable to move their bodies. This is called sleep paralysis and may continue for seconds or minutes. They may also have vivid dreams. One of the most intense symptoms of narcolepsy is called cataplexy. During an attack of cataplexy, the person is awake and alert, but may develop sudden muscle weakness and actually fall down if standing. Cataplexy often occurs at times of strong emotion. Another symptom of narcolepsy is hallucinations (dreaming while falling asleep or waking up). If they occur as you fall asleep, they're called hypnagogic hallucinations; if they occur as you wake up, they are called hypnopompic hallucinations. These symptoms can be very upsetting and frightening before they are properly diagnosed.
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HealthyWomen answeredSee All 3 AnswersCataplexy is characterized by sudden episodes of loss of muscle function. These can range from slight weakness (such as limpness at the neck or knees, sagging facial muscles or an inability to speak clearly) to complete body collapse. Attacks are typically triggered by sudden emotional reactions such as laughter, anger or fear, and may last from a few seconds to several minutes. Cataplexy is seen almost exclusively in people with narcolepsy. -
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American Academy of Sleep Medicine answeredWhen you add up the total hours of sleep time, people with narcolepsy don’t necessarily sleep any more than those without the sleep disorder. Many people with narcolepsy often have difficulty sleeping through the night because of unwanted awakenings. -
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Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answeredSee All 3 Answers
The rate of narcolepsy varies by region, even among developed nations. For instance, in the United States and Europe, about 1 in 2,000 people has narcolepsy. The rate is much lower in Israel, only 1 in 500,000, but much higher in Japan, 1 in 600. The cause of this variation is unknown.