Narcolepsy Symptoms and Treatments

Narcolepsy

A daytime sleepiness condition in which some patients can fall asleep with

little or no warning.

Narcolepsy is a chronic brain disorder that involves poor control of sleep-wake

cycles. Narcolepsy typically affects patients in their teenage years or in their

20’s.

Sometimes patients are diagnosed in their 40’s or 50’s. In severe cases

patients are prone to falling asleep with little or no warning. These are known

as sleep attacks.

Symptoms

Narcolepsy is a syndrome that can be characterized by chronic daytime

sleepiness, accompanied by hypnologic, sleep paralysis and cataplexy.

It is often the case where patients may not have all the symptoms but

daytime sleepiness is a constant symptom in almost all patients.

Causes

Most people with narcolepsy have

low levels of the neurotransmitter

hypocretin, which promotes

wakefulness.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that

neurons produce to communicate

with each other and to regulate

biological processes.

Common Conditions associated with Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy patients are often misdiagnosed as

depressed or having mood disorders because

their sleepiness leads to mood disorder.

Also, Narcolepsy can be a manifestation of

other sleep or medical disorders.

These can include untreated sleep Apnea,

periodic limb movement disorder, restless legs

syndrome, insomnia, or insufficient sleep.

Diagnosis & Treatments

Testing may consist of an overnight Polysomnogram followed by a Multiple

Sleep Latatency Test (MSLT). This can help to identify pathologic sleepiness,

and abnormal sleep-wake transitions.

Pharmacologic therapy and good sleep hygiene are the mainstay of

treatment.

Thanks for reading !!!

If you are experiencing symptoms of Narcolepsy, please contact us online or call us at 708-364-

0261 to set up an appointment our sleep specialists.