![]() Scientists have discovered that people with narcolepsy are lacking in hypocretin (also called orexin), a chemical in the brain that activates arousal and regulates sleep. The general consensus is that your genetics, accompanied by an environmental trigger such as a virus, for example, may affect your brain chemicals and cause the disorder. Researchers continue to seek out the root cause of narcolepsy. Therefore, you'll experience the characteristics of REM sleep (vivid dreams and muscle paralysis) at the beginning of sleep, even if that sleep is during the day. Whereas most people take about 90 minutes to enter the REM or dream phase of sleep, a narcoleptic may do so right after falling asleep. If you suffer from narcolepsy, you may have periods of wakefulness at night with hot flashes, elevated heart rate, or intense alertness. Microsleep is a very brief sleep episode during which you continue to function (talk, put things away, etc.) and then awaken with no memory of the activities. You may be unable to move or talk at the beginning or end of sleep. Some people with narcolepsy experience vivid, sometimes frightening, visual or auditory sensations while falling asleep or upon awakening. Often, narcolepsy may cause you to have sudden loss of muscle control while awake, usually triggered by strong emotions, such as laughing or crying. Common narcolepsy symptoms include:Ĭataplexy (loss of muscle control). You may tend to exhibit these symptoms when you experience intense emotions, such as laughter, sadness, surprise, or frustration. Two of the most common narcolepsy symptoms-excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy-are often connected to your emotional state. Other symptoms may be related to your abnormal REM sleep, including hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle control). While symptoms can vary greatly from one person to another, the main symptoms are excessive daytime sleepiness (with or without sudden sleep episodes) and abnormal REM sleep. They can be especially debilitating for children or young people who are also facing the challenges of school, college, or the early stages of their careers. Most people with narcolepsy experience their first symptoms between the ages of 10 and 25. Narcolepsy may cause you to have problems remembering things and concentrating, creating more disruption to your daily activities. Extreme sleepiness may also cause low sex drive and impotence. Your personal relationships, especially romantic relationships, can often suffer. Some people may assume that you are lazy, rude, or even faking the sudden sleep episodes. Unfortunately, sudden sleep episodes are often found humorous to those not familiar with the disorder. Narcolepsy can disrupt your life to the extent that it may lead to depression and anxiety. Many ordinary daily activities, such as cooking or walking, can become very dangerous if you fall asleep or lose muscle control unexpectedly. CATAPLEXY MEANING FULLA combination of lifestyle changes, self-help strategies, counseling, and medical support can help you manage the disorder, improve your alertness, and enjoy a full and active life. While there is not yet a cure, there are plenty of ways you can reduce the symptoms. Narcolepsy is more common than you probably realize, affecting about 1 in 2,000 people. Narcolepsy can also create memory and concentration problems, and take a toll on your self-esteem and mental health. Ordinary daily activities such as driving, cooking, or even walking can become dangerous, and extreme daytime sleepiness can put a strain on work, school, and intimate relationships. And while they can be brief, lasting just a few seconds, they can be frightening, embarrassing, and cause serious disruption in your life. These episodes are often triggered by strong emotions. As a result, you can experience excessive daytime sleepiness and a sudden loss of muscle control (called cataplexy) causing you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities such as working or studying. Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting the part of your brain that regulates sleep. Here’s all you need to know about the symptoms, causes, and treatments. Sleep Narcolepsy Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder, but you can put a stop to daytime sleepiness. ![]()
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