What Is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a long-term neurological disorder wherein the patient has a decreased ability to regulate their sleep-wake cycles. Narcolepsy sufferers often struggle to stay awake for prolonged periods of time, no matter the circumstance. This disorder can cause serious disruptions or even danger in daily life. 

What Are The Symptoms of Narcolepsy?

Symptoms of Narcolepsy include:

• Cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by intense emotions)
• Overwhelming daytime drowsiness
• Weakening of muscles (knee buckle, jaw sag, eye droop, etc) with strong emotions like laughter
• Sudden “sleep attacks”
• Poor-quality or disrupted nighttime sleep (falling asleep easily but waking often)
• Sleep paralysis (feeling unable to move or speak with vivid, dreamlike experiences)
• Hallucinations

How Is Narcolepsy Diagnosed?

A number of methods can be used to make an accurate assessment of narcolepsy:

• A detailed sleep history
• Sleep diary
• Actigraph - A small device that measures active and resting periods
• Polysomnography - A test that measures electrical activity of your brain, heart, muscles movement, eye movement and breathing.
• Multiple sleep latency test - Assesses excessive daytime sleepiness by measuring how quickly one falls asleep in a quiet environment during the daytime.

What Is The Treatment for Narcolepsy?

Although there is no cure for narcolepsy, a combination of lifestyle modifications and medicine can make it much easier to manage.

Lifestyle Changes

• Create and stick to a sleep schedule
• Take regular, strategically-timed naps of at least 20 minutes in length
• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid nicotine
• Exercise

Medication

• Stimulants
• Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, and tricyclics)
• Sodium oxybate (for sudden muscle weakness and excessive daytime fatigue)