What Is Narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime drowsiness. It affects about one percent of the population.
Narcolepsy is caused by an imbalance in brain chemicals that control sleep and wakefulness. The condition causes people to fall asleep suddenly during the day, often while driving or working.
What Causes Narcolepsy?
The exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown. However, it may have something to do with an imbalance between two brain chemicals called hypocretin and orexin.
There are several different types of narcolepsy. These include narcolepsy with cataplexy (narcolepsy with symptoms such as uncontrollable muscle weakness), narcolepsy without cataplexy (which does not involve uncontrollable muscle weakness), idiopathic hypersomnia (a type of insomnia) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD).
Who Gets Narcolepsy? Narcolepsy occurs most often in people who are genetically predisposed. But it can also occur in children whose immune systems are weakened or in adults who take certain medications.
People with narcolepsy usually fall asleep suddenly and unexpectedly during the day. They may feel tired, sleepy, confused, irritable, or even anxious. In some cases, these feelings lead them to fall asleep at inappropriate times. This condition is called “cataplexy.” Cataplexy can happen when a person falls asleep while standing up, sitting down, or lying down.
What Are the Symptoms of Narcolepsy? People
• Difficulty staying awake during the day
• Feeling unusually tired after waking up
• Falling asleep unexpectedly
• Waking up too early
• Having trouble concentrating
• Losing track of time
• Being unable to stay focused
• Feeling restless
• Failing to complete tasks
• Forgetting things
• Feeling depressed
• Not being able to control emotions
• Feeling anxious
• Having nightmares
• Getting into accidents
• Having hallucinations
• Experiencing muscle weakness
• Having uncontrollable body movements
• Suffering from headaches
• Having difficulty falling asleep
• Snoring
• Having dry mouth
• Blinking excessively
• Having blurry vision
• Slurring words
• Having trouble speaking
• Feeling dizzy
• Having trouble breathing
• Feeling numbness or tingling sensations
• Having an abnormal heartbeat
• Having
What Causes Narcolepsy?
The cause of narcolepsy is unknown. However, it may have something to do with an imbalance between two brain chemicals called hypocretin and orexin.
There are several theories regarding what causes narcolepsy. One theory suggests that narcolepsy is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Another theory suggests that narcolemia is caused by a genetic mutation. A third theory suggests that narcoletis is caused by a combination of both viruses and genetics.
Who Gets Narcolepsy?
People who get narcolepsy tend to be young adults or teenagers. They also tend to be overweight.
Narcolepsy usually begins between ages 15 and 25. Most people with narcolepsy have an onset before age 20. About 90% of those diagnosed with narcolepsy are men.