Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a disorder that can be brought on by intense emotion
and cause uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the normal
waking hours. Approximately 125,000 people in the United States
are affected by narcolepsy. This disorder usually begins in the
teens or early twenties but can be seen in children or the elderly.
The main symptoms of narcolepsy are:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness and "sleep attacks"
are the most common symptom of narcolepsy. A sleep attack
is suddenly and unexpectedly falling asleep and can last for only
a few minutes or up to an hour.
- Cataplexy, a secondary symptom of narcolepsy, is the
sudden, temporary loss of muscle strength. Cataplexy can be so
severe that it can lead to complete collapse. During a cataplectic
attack the person is completely awake and can stay in a collapsed
state for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Hypnogogic hallucinations are another symptom of narcolepsy
and are similar to nightmares. These hallucinations occur upon
awakening and falling asleep. They can be visual, auditory, or
tactile and last for a few minutes. Hypnogigic hallucinations
occur in only five percent of the narcoleptic population and can
be misdiagnosed as schizophrenia.
- Sleep paralysis is a symptom sometimes related to Narcolepsy.
It is the inability to move immediately before falling asleep
or upon awakening. Sleep paralysis can be accompanied by hypnogogic
hallucinations and can last for a few seconds or up to thirty
minutes.
Causes
The cause of narcolepsy is unknown but some sleep experts say that
it is caused by low blood pressure or other sleep disorders. Although
it's not proven, narcolepsy may be hereditary.
Treatment
There is no known cure for narcolepsy. There are therapies used
to control the disorder and help people lead normal lives. One treatment
used for narcolepsy is practice of getting
into a normal sleep routine. This treatment is good for people
who have excessive daytime sleepiness. There are drug treatments
like stimulants and antidepressants that can help treat symptoms
of narcolepsy. Because symptoms of narcolepsy can range from mild
to severe, different drugs or therapies may be used.
More about sleep disorders
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