Narcolepsy

Living with narcolepsy can be overwhelming, but understanding the condition is the first step toward managing it effectively. Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks. This condition can significantly impact your daily life, making it essential to recognize its symptoms, understand its causes and explore available treatments.

Aurora Health Care Sleep Medicine Centers are here for you to provide you with the information and latest treatments you need to help navigate this complex disorder.

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What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. It affects your ability to stay awake for long periods, regardless of the circumstances. Narcolepsy can significantly impact your daily life, making it difficult to perform everyday activities.

There are two main types of narcolepsy:

• Type 1 narcolepsy (with cataplexy): A sudden and temporary loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions such as laughter or surprise.
• Type 2 narcolepsy (without cataplexy): People with type 2 narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness without muscle weakness.

What causes narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It often results from the loss of hypocretin-producing neurons in the brain, which are crucial for regulating your sleep pattern.

Some potential causes of narcolepsy include:

• Genetics: Certain genetic factors can increase your risk of developing narcolepsy.
• Immune system dysfunction: An autoimmune disease might target and destroy hypocretin-producing neurons.
• Brain injuries: Trauma or tumors affecting the parts of the brain that regulate sleep can lead to narcolepsy.

What aggravates narcolepsy?

Several factors can worsen narcolepsy symptoms, including:

• Stress: High stress levels can worsen your sleep patterns and trigger episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness.
• Irregular sleep schedules: An inconsistent sleep schedule can make it harder to manage narcolepsy.
• Poor sleep habits: Factors such as caffeine consumption and lack of exercise can aggravate narcolepsy symptoms.

Symptoms of narcolepsy

Narcolepsy disrupts your normal sleep patterns, leading to fragmented sleep and excessive daytime tiredness. During sleep, you might enter REM sleep rapidly, within 15 minutes, instead of the typical 90 minutes.

This sleep disorder can also cause sleep paralysis and vivid hallucinations upon falling asleep or waking up.

Narcolepsy symptoms vary in severity but commonly include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness: Feeling extremely drowsy during the day, often leading to involuntary cataplexy.
• Cataplexy: Sudden muscle weakness triggered by strong emotions (seen in type 1 narcolepsy).
• Sleep paralysis: Temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up.
• Hallucinations: Vivid, often frightening, dreams that occur while falling asleep or waking up.
• Fragmented sleep: Frequent awakenings during the night, disrupting your sleep.

Diagnosing narcolepsy

Diagnosing narcolepsy typically involves a comprehensive sleep study called a polysomnogram, followed by a multiple sleep latency test. These tests monitor your sleep patterns, brain activity and muscle movements to assess the severity of your condition. A thorough medical history and physical exam are crucial in diagnosing narcolepsy.

Medicine and treatment for narcolepsy

There is no cure for narcolepsy, but various treatments can help manage the symptoms:

• Medication: Stimulants, antidepressants, and sodium oxybate (Xyrem) are commonly prescribed to reduce excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy.
• Lifestyle changes: Establishing a regular sleep schedule, taking short naps during the day, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol can help improve your sleep quality.
• Therapies: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other therapies can assist in managing the emotional and psychological impact of narcolepsy.

How do you stop an episode of narcolepsy?

Stopping a narcolepsy episode involves taking immediate action to ensure your safety and comfort. If you feel an episode coming on, find a safe place to rest or lie down. Practicing relaxation techniques and staying calm can also help.

Long-term management strategies include sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, taking prescribed medications and making lifestyle changes to minimize triggers.

Understanding narcolepsy and its treatments can empower you to manage the condition more effectively. With the right approach, you can improve your quality of life and reduce the impact of narcolepsy on your daily activities.

Find an Aurora Sleep Medicine Center near you.