![]() Narcoleptics typically have higher REM sleep density than non-narcoleptics, but also experience more REM sleep without atonia. Narcoleptics may not be able to experience the amount of restorative deep sleep that healthy people experience due to abnormal REM regulation – they are not "over-sleeping". A person with narcolepsy is likely to become drowsy or fall asleep, often at inappropriate or undesired times and places, or just be very tired throughout the day. ![]() Excessive daytime sleepiness occurs even after adequate night time sleep. There are two main characteristics of narcolepsy: excessive daytime sleepiness and abnormal REM sleep. However, it may also rarely appear at any time outside of this range. Narcolepsy generally occurs anytime between early childhood and 50 years of age, and most commonly between 15 and 36 years of age. Untreated narcolepsy increases the risk of motor vehicle collisions and falls. ![]() The condition often begins in childhood, with males and females being affected equally. Įstimates of frequency range from 0.2 to 600 per 100,000 people in various countries. Tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may improve cataplexy. While initially effective, tolerance to the benefits may develop over time. Medications used include modafinil, sodium oxybate and methylphenidate. Lifestyle changes include taking regular short naps and sleep hygiene. While there is no cure, a number of lifestyle changes and medications may help. The accompanying cataplexy may be mistaken for seizures. Excessive daytime sleepiness can also be caused by other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, anemia, heart failure, drinking alcohol and not getting enough sleep. Diagnosis is typically based on the symptoms and sleep studies, after ruling out other potential causes. In rare cases, narcolepsy can be caused by traumatic brain injury, tumors, or other diseases affecting the parts of the brain that regulate wakefulness or REM sleep. Often, those affected have low levels of the neuropeptide orexin, which may be due to an autoimmune disorder triggered in genetically susceptible individuals by infection with H1N1 influenza. In up to 10% of cases, there is a family history of the disorder. Narcolepsy is a clinical syndrome of hypothalamic disorder, but the exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown, with potentially several causes. People with narcolepsy tend to sleep about the same number of hours per day as people without, but the quality of sleep tends to be lessened. Less commonly, there may be vivid hallucinations or an inability to move ( sleep paralysis) while falling asleep or waking up. These experiences of cataplexy can be brought on by strong emotions. Narcolepsy paired with cataplexy is evidenced to be an autoimmune disorder. Symptoms often include periods of excessive daytime sleepiness and brief involuntary sleep episodes. Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that involves a decreased ability to regulate sleep–wake cycles. Modafinil, sodium oxybate, pitolisant, methylphenidate, amphetamine, stimulants, antidepressants Medication, regular short naps, sleep hygiene Sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, anemia, heart failure, drinking alcohol, idiopathic hypersomnia, not getting enough sleep Timing of sleepiness is “off” with narcolepsy so one may fight sleepiness during the day but struggle to sleep at night.Excessive daytime sleepiness, involuntary sleep episodes, sudden loss of muscle strength, hallucinations īased on the symptoms and sleep studies Disrupted nighttime sleep: Unlike public perceptions, people with narcolepsy do not sleep all the time.It is often accompanied by hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations. Sleep paralysis: The inability to move for a few seconds or minutes upon falling asleep or waking up.Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations: Visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations upon falling asleep or waking up. ![]() The duration may be for a few seconds to several minutes and the person remains fully conscious (even if unable to speak) during the episode. The severity may vary from a slackening of the jaw or buckling of the knees to falling down. Cataplexy: Striking, sudden episodes of muscle weakness usually triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, exhilaration, surprise, or anger.Excessive daytime sleepiness: Periods of extreme sleepiness during the day that feel comparable to how someone without narcolepsy would feel after staying awake for 48-72 hours.
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