Narcolepsy: A neurological sleep disorder that affects the ability of the person to stay alert even when they have had an adequate amount of sleep.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS): EDS produces repeated naps, usually in short periods and refreshing but the sleepiness returns 2-3 hours later.
- Cataplexy: This involves loss of muscle tone that often occurs in the knees, face and neck. Cataplexy is commonly brought on by strong emotions such as laughter, excitement or surprise. These episodes are brief, recovery is usually immediate and complete.
- Sleep paralysis: A person is unable to move for a few minutes while falling asleep and/or waking up. It also may be accompanied by the difficulty breathing.
- Hypnagogic hallucinations: Very realistic, vivid perception of a presence that really is not there. Often accompanies sleep paralysis.
Types:
- Narcolepsy with cataplexy.
- Narcolepsy without cataplexy.
Facts:
- Affects less than 1% of the population.
- Usually occurs between ages of 15-25 with slightly higher risk for men.
- Appears there is a genetic link but is rare that a family have more than two members with Narcolepsy.
- Treated with making life style changes and a combination of medications.