Narcolepsy is a potentially serious, chronic sleep disorder which causes uncontrollable fatigue during the day and sleep disturbances at night. If you have narcolepsy, you regularly feel very sleepy during the daytime, and you may even fall asleep up to several times a day. These episodes may be accompanied by muscle weakness.
Narcolepsy has no cure, but treatment options are available. Your doctor may prescribe an SSRI or other type of antidepressant to relieve many of your symptoms. Another treatment option is prescription stimulants, which may help during the day. Sodium oxybate may be recommended to help you sleep at night, stay awake during the day, and relieve serious cases of cataplexy. All of these medicines have potential side effects.
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