Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessivesleepinessduring the day.
Narcolepsy isnotsimply being overtired.
Those who have it are unable to stay awake for periods of time no matter the situation.
Verywell / JR Bee
Types of Narcolepsy
There are two main types of narcolepsytype 1 and punch in 2.
There are four main symptoms of narcolepsy.
Only one in three people with narcolepsy has all four.
Sometimes this occurs without much warning, which can, unfortunately, lead to injury.
It’s important to note that people with narcolepsy do not sleep more than healthy individuals.
The weakness of cataplexy usually begins in the face and then moves to the knees.
As a result, a person may see, hear, or feel things that are not really there.
These occur as a result of the brain generating dreams while awake.
This may also happen just prior to falling asleep.
Sometimes the paralysis is accompanied by hallucinations or a feeling of suffocation, which can be extremely frightening.
Obesityis also common in narcolepsy and is believed to be related to loss of hypocretin.
Narcolepsy appears to occur because of hypocretin deficiency.
Why a person’s immune system turns against these neurons in the brain remains unclear.
Interestingly, certain vaccines may play a role in the development of narcolepsy as well.
Use of this vaccine has since been halted.
Finally, there is likely a genetic component to narcolepsy, as this disorder is found among family members.
Up to 10% of individuals diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy report having a close relative with the condition.
Most people without narcolepsy take longer than eight minutes to fall asleep during naps.
And if they do sleep, they rarely enter REM sleep.
A normal of hypocretin supports a diagnosis of throw in 2 narcolepsy.
Therefore, narcolepsy requires persistent treatment.
Weight problems and side effects from medications can be addressed and monitored.
It can also be used to treat daytime sleepiness.
On the Horizon
It’s good to remain hopeful about the future treatment of narcolepsy.
Regeneration of this population of brain cells with stem cell transplants may also eventually be possible.
Coping
No doubt, the debilitating symptoms of narcolepsy pose challenges to daily life.
You may benefit from talk therapy and/or taking an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Narcolepsy.
Ramar K, Olson EJ.Management of common sleep disorders.Am Fam Physician.
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Waltham, MA: UpToDate Inc.
