Table of contents:
- What is narcolepsy?
- Main symptoms of narcolepsy
- Types and causes of narcolepsy
- Diagnosis and treatment
What is narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles. Unlike people without narcolepsy, those with the condition may quickly enter rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, often within 15 minutes of falling asleep. This blurs the boundaries between wakefulness and sleep. Symptoms can appear in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood, though diagnosis is often delayed by years.
Main symptoms of narcolepsy
The most common symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). EDS involves a persistent, overwhelming urge to sleep, sometimes leading to sudden "sleep attacks." Other symptoms include:
- Sleep paralysis: Temporary inability to move or speak when falling asleep or waking up, lasting seconds to minutes.
- Cataplexy: Sudden muscle weakness triggered by strong emotions like laughter or anger. Severity varies from mild drooping eyelids to full-body collapse.
- Hallucinations: Vivid, often frightening sensory experiences occurring at the boundary of wakefulness and sleep.
Additional symptoms include difficulty sleeping at night, brain fog, and automatic behaviors like falling asleep during tasks.
Types and causes of narcolepsy
Narcolepsy has two main types. Type 1 involves cataplexy and low levels of the brain hormone hypocretin. Type 2 lacks cataplexy, and hypocretin levels are usually normal. In rare cases, secondary narcolepsy may result from brain injuries affecting the hypothalamus.
The exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown. However, researchers believe that in Type 1, the immune system may attack hypocretin-producing cells. Genetics and environmental factors can also play a role, though the risk of inheriting narcolepsy from a parent is only 1 to 2 per cent.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosing narcolepsy involves a polysomnogram (PSG) and a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). During a PSG, brain waves, heart rate, and other metrics are monitored overnight. The MSLT measures how quickly a person falls asleep during the day, checking for rapid transitions to REM sleep.
While there is no cure, treatment focuses on managing symptoms. Neurostimulants help maintain daytime alertness. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) suppress REM sleep, alleviating cataplexy, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. Lifestyle changes include:
- Regular short naps throughout the day.
- Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.
- Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine near bedtime.
- Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.
If you experience symptoms of narcolepsy, consult a healthcare provider to explore diagnostic and treatment options. Managing narcolepsy effectively requires a combination of medical and lifestyle strategies.
source: CBC
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