Narcolepsy | Sleep Apnea | Sleep Apnea Zone

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is classified as a chronic sleep disorder and is considered a chronic neurological disorder that is caused by the inability of an individuals brain to regulate sleep-wake cycles properly. An individual suffering with narcolepsy experiences daytime sleepiness and uncontrollable bouts of falling asleep during the day. Individuals suffering from narcolepsy are unable to stay awake for long periods of time and sufferers fall asleep at an inappropriate place or time sometimes without warning.

Other much more severe symptoms experienced by an individual with narcolepsy include a condition called cataplexy which is a sudden loss of muscle tone that can cause physical changes such as slurred speech or muscle weakness. Cataplexy is often triggered by intense emotions and is uncontrollable.

Another condition that may occur for individuals suffering from narcolepsy is sleep paralysis where the individual temporarily is unable to speak or move while falling asleep or waking. Individuals with narcolepsy also suffer from hypnagogic hallucinations which are dream-like auditory or visual hallucination experienced with an individual is dozing or falling asleep.

A typical sleep-wake cycle for a person without narcolepsy is early stage of sleep, deeper stage of sleep, and then after approximately 90 minutes REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. For an individual suffering from narcolepsy the REM sleep stage occurs almost immediately after they fall asleep as well as periodically during their waking hours.

Narcolepsy can affect an individual at any age, but usually occurs between the ages of 15 and 25. It is also more common in men than women. It is a very under diagnosed illness, often thought to be depression, epilepsy, or a side effect of medication. Many individuals suffering from narcolepsy are never properly diagnosed though the disease is very disabling to their life. It can impair an individuals work, social life, personal relationships, and make them more prone to accidents.

The cause of narcolepsy is not known; however, it is believed that genetics play an important factor. A small percent of individuals suffering from this narcolepsy have a close relative that also suffers from the disease.

An individual should seek medical advice if they experience excessive sleepiness during the daytime excessive to the point where it interrupts their personal and/or professional life. The medical doctor will likely refer the individual to a sleep specialist who will diagnose the narcolepsy and determine its severity. Diagnoses can consist of a review of the individuals sleep history; a polysomnogram (test that measures sleep signals through electrodes on the scalp); and a multiple sleep latency test (test which measure how long it takes an individual to fall asleep during the day). Both the polysomnogram and multiple sleep latency tests are conducted in a medical facility or a sleep clinic.

There is also no cure for narcolepsy but there is treatment. Treatment depends on the actual severity of the individuals narcolepsy which is determined by testing. Treatment is tailored to the individual and can consist of lifestyle adjustments such as the regulation of sleep schedule, scheduling of daytime naps, avoiding caffeine or alcohol, establishing an exercise routine, and a meal schedule to help reduce the symptoms. A doctor may also try drug therapy by prescribing a stimulant drug to help keep the individual suffering from narcolepsy awake during the day, or an antidepressant drug that suppresses the REM sleep cycle.