Accidents are 10 times more likely in individuals who suffer from narcolepsy. A study shows that more than 200000 Americans Suffer from Narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterised by disrupted sleep-wake cycles. It affects roughly one in every two thousand people living in the United States…
People with narcolepsy often experience excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle control), and hypnagogic hallucinations (vivid images that occur as one falls asleep).
Narcolepsy can significantly impair quality of life and may require lifelong treatment.
There is no single cure for narcolepsy, but several treatments are available to help people manage the symptoms. These include medications, lifestyle modifications, and devices that promote wakefulness.
What Is Narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a chronic condition characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness. Narcolepsy affects around 1 in 2,000 people in the United States.
People with narcolepsy have a harder time staying awake during the day and may fall asleep unexpectedly, even if they are not tired.
People with narcolepsy often have difficulty functioning normally in social and professional settings. They may miss work or school or find it hard to keep up with their everyday activities.
However, with proper treatment, most people with narcolepsy can lead normal, healthy lives.
What are the types of narcolepsy?
There are three main types of narcolepsy:
- EDS, or excessive daytime sleepiness. It is the most common type of narcolepsy and is characterised by a feeling of constant fatigue and sleepiness during the day.
- Cataplexy, or sudden muscle control loss. It is a rare but severe symptom of narcolepsy that can cause people to collapse or have a seizure.
- Sleep paralysis, or the inability to move or speak when falling asleep or waking up. It is a relatively common symptom of narcolepsy, affecting about 50% of people with the disorder.
How does a person get narcolepsy?
The cause of narcolepsy is not yet known, but it is thought to be caused by genetic and environmental factors.
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterised by uncontrollable daytime drowsiness. Narcoleptics have an inadequate amount of a neurotransmitter (chemical signal) in the brain called hypocretin, which is essential for keeping track of sleep/wake cycles and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.
Other possible factors scientists think play a role in narcolepsy include:
- An autoimmune disorder. A lack of hypocretin is caused by the immune system's assault on the brain cells that produce it.
- Infections.
- Pesticides, heavy metals, and secondhand smoke are just a few environmental contaminants.
- Brain injury or tumour. Trauma, tumour, or disease can damage the part of the brain that controls REM sleep and wakefulness in a small number of people.
- Family history. Close relatives of persons with narcolepsy may experience similar symptoms.
How is narcolepsy treated?
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for narcolepsy, but various therapies may be used to manage the symptoms. These include:
- Stimulants, such as caffeine and amphetamines help increase daytime energy levels and keep people awake.
- Antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), help reduce symptoms of cataplexy and sleep paralysis (Sleep is important for kids).
- Modafinil, a medication that increases wakefulness, helps people stay alert during the day.
- Behavioural therapies, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and sleep hygiene education help people manage their disorders better.
If you suspect narcolepsy, you should contact your primary care doctor for sleep medicine specialist recommendations to find the best physician. Because a primary care doctor may not have a thorough understanding of this illness, it's preferable to seek a specialist with specific expertise in sleep issues (Sleep hypnosis).
You may be referred to a neurologist if your doctor suspects narcolepsy. It's easy to mistake narcolepsy for other conditions. Because these illnesses have similar symptoms, it's frequently misdiagnosed as depression or anxiety.
What are the signs and symptoms of narcolepsy?
The main symptoms of narcolepsy are excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, and sleep paralysis. However, not everyone with narcolepsy will experience all of these symptoms.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
It is the first symptom of narcolepsy that most people experience. It often leads to sleep attacks and makes you fall asleep involuntarily.
People with narcolepsy can fall asleep at any moment and anywhere. You may be working or having a conversation with friends, for example, when suddenly you nod off, falling asleep for 10 minutes to a half-hour. When you wake up, you feel revitalised, but you become drowsy again after a while.
You may also have a hard time focusing and being attentive throughout the day. Excessive daytime drowsiness is typically the first sign of depression and is frequently the most bothersome, making it difficult for you to concentrate and fully function.
Sleep Paralysis
Sleep paralysis is often associated with Narcolepsy. It is the temporary inability of the people to speak or move during the wake-sleep or sleep-wake transition. It can last for seconds or a few minutes — but it can be frightening.
You may be aware of the condition and yet have no trouble recalling it the next day, even if you had no control over what was happening to you. This sleep paralysis resembles the temporary paralysis that occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Your body can't move out of its way during REM sleep because of this.
Sleep paralysis, on the other hand, is not necessarily a symptom of narcolepsy. Many people who do not have narcolepsy may undergo some instances of sleep paralysis.
Cataplexy
Cataplexy is a sudden and temporary loss of muscle control. It can cause people to collapse or have a seizure. Cataplexy is often associated with narcolepsy, but it can also occur in people without the disorder.
Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle tone that can strike people who have suffered an extreme fright or excitement. The condition, which we will explain below (KAT-uh-plek-see), can produce various physical symptoms, from slurred speech to total muscular paralysis, and might last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.
Cataplexy is an uncontrollable condition that strikes when experiencing extremely joyful emotions, such as laughter or enthusiasm. Fear, surprise, and anger are examples of negative emotions that can induce it. When you laugh, your head may droop unintentionally, or your legs might buckle suddenly.
Some people only have one or two cataplectic episodes a year, while others have several dailies. Cataplexy is not inherent in all narcoleptics.
Hallucinations
Hypnagogic hallucinations occur as you fall asleep; hypnopompic ones, on the other hand, take place as you awaken.
A sensation of a stranger in your bedroom, for example, is an example of a hypnagogic hallucination. Because you may not be completely asleep, you begin dreaming and viewing them.
Insomnia
Sleep orders like insomnia are also the results of narcolepsy.
Other signs and symptoms of narcolepsy can include:
- Poor concentration
- Memory problems
- Headaches
- Dry mouth or eyes
- Difficulty swallowing
What are the Narcolepsy-Related Conditions and Behaviour?
Here are some related problems that people with Narcolepsy suffer:
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing for short periods during sleep. It is often associated with narcolepsy, and up to 80% of people with narcolepsy also have sleep apnea.
Automatic Behaviour
You suddenly fall asleep during walking, talking, and sleeping or talking under automatic behaviour syndrome. You continue with these activities while sleeping and then wake up having no remembrance of what you did.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is a sleep disorder that causes people to move their limbs involuntarily during sleep. It is often associated with narcolepsy, and up to 50% of people with narcolepsy also have PLMD.
How is narcolepsy diagnosed?
There is no single test for diagnosing narcolepsy. Instead, it is a diagnosis based on a person's symptoms and medical history. A doctor may order tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as sleep apnea or epilepsy.
Here are some of the probable diagnosis for Narcolepsy:
- Medical History and Physical Exam
- Polysomnogram (PSG)
It is a sleep study that records brain waves, heart rate, eye movements, and breathing while you sleep. It can help diagnose narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders.
- Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)
The multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) is used to measure how quickly a person falls asleep. It is often used to diagnose narcolepsy. People with narcolepsy typically fall asleep within 5 minutes in the MSLT.
Narcolepsy Vs Normal Sleep Pattern
The first stage in the process of sleeping is called non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Your brain waves slow dramatically during this time. After an hour or so of NREM sleep, your brain activity shifts, and REM sleep begins. The majority of dreaming takes place during REM sleep.
In narcolepsy, however, you may suddenly enter REM sleep without first experiencing NREM sleep, both at night (Full moon)and during the day. Some of the characteristics of narcolepsy - such as cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hallucinations - are similar to changes that occur in REM sleep but occur during wakefulness or daytime.
How is narcolepsy treated?
There is no cure for narcolepsy, but there are treatments that can help people manage the symptoms.
Some people with narcolepsy may need to take medication to stay awake during the day, and others may need to use a CPAP machine at night to help them breathe better while they sleep.
There are also lifestyle changes that can help people with narcolepsy stay alert during the day, such as avoiding caffeine and napping regularly.
- Use of stimulants to treat sleepiness
- Lifestyle changes: Eating smaller meals is often good instead of having heavy meals that induce sleep. Controlling the daytime nap schedules to 10-15 minutes for each nap.
- An exercise and active day schedule
- Use of antidepressants treating REM sleep
Keep in mind that treating narcolepsy is dependent on the particular situation. Only a specialist can determine the best treatment option for each patient based on the severity of the condition, the number of symptoms, and various lifestyle factors.
Patients with narcolepsy must adhere to their medical treatment and doctors' instructions to manage day-to-day activities.
Locating support online or in local communities can also be helpful because dealing with something difficult is easier when you can discuss it with others.
You should also educate your family and friends about the problem so that there are no misunderstandings or confusion if one of the symptoms arises.
Taking care of your safety is also crucial. If a drug takes a long time to begin working, you might want to avoid driving or operating machinery.
What are the complications associated with Narcolepsy?
- Obesity. Excess weight is more common among individuals who suffer from narcolepsy. Slow metabolism is to blame for the weight gain.
- Cataplectic attacks (cataplexy) and sleep paralysis can also occur when people with narcolepsy experience intense emotions, such as anger or happiness.
- Physical harm. While sleeping attacks can be dangerous for those with narcolepsy, they may also cause physical damage. If you have a seizure while driving, you're more likely to get into an accident. You're more likely to suffer from cuts and burns if you fall asleep while cooking food.
- Public misunderstanding. Narcolepsy may have a significant impact on your career and personal life. Others may perceive you as unproductive or sluggish. At school or work, your performance may be affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Common Is Narcolepsy?
It is estimated that narcolepsy affects about 1 in 2,000 people in the United States.
What happens in the brain during narcolepsy?
The cause of narcolepsy is not yet known, but it is thought to be caused by genetic and environmental factors. The exact mechanism in the brain that causes the symptoms of narcolepsy is still unknown.
Who gets narcolepsy?
The cause of narcolepsy is not yet known, but it is thought to be caused by genetic and environmental factors. Anyone can get narcolepsy, but it is more common in people who have a family history of the disorder.
Is narcolepsy contagious?
No, narcolepsy is not contagious. It is a chronic disorder that affects the brain and cannot be spread through contact with other people.
Conclusion
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterised by extreme daytime drowsiness and sudden sleep attacks. People with narcolepsy have trouble staying awake for long periods, regardless of the situation. Narcolepsy can have severe consequences on your routine.
Cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle tone that can be triggered by strong emotion, sometimes occurs in individuals with narcolepsy. Narcolepsy with cataplexy is known as type 1 narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy without cataplexy is referred to as type 2 narcolepsy.
There is no known cure for narcolepsy. Medications and lifestyle adjustments, on the other hand, can aid in the management of symptoms. Family, friends, employers, and teachers can all assist you in dealing with narcolepsy by providing support.
