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What is narcolepsy?
The exact cause of narcolepsy isn't known. It's believed that genetics may play a role. But the larger influence may be a trigger, such as an infection, that leads to damage to certain brain cells important to sleep.
Read more on www.mayoclinic.com
Also known as sleep disorders, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, excessive daytime sleepiness, Gelineau Syndrome, Paroxysmal Sleep, Narcoleptic Syndrome, Gelineau's Syndrome, daytime sleep disorder, Narcolepsy-Cataplexy Syndrome, Narcolepsy Cataplexy Syndrome, Gelineaus Syndrome, Narcoleptic Syndromes, Narcolepsy-Cataplexy Syndromes, Gelineau's Syndromes
narcolepsy information from trusted sources:
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes overwhelming and severe daytime sleepiness. Pathologic sleepiness is characterized by the fact that it occurs at inappropriate times and places. The daytime sleep attacks may occur with or without warning, and can occur repeatedly in a single day. Persons with narcolepsy often have fragmented nighttime sleep with frequent brief awakenings. Read more on
www.emedicinehealth.com
Insomnia
Is it hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep though the night Do you wake up feeling tired or feel very sleepy during the day, even if you have had enough sleep You might have a sleep disorder. The most common kinds are Nightmares, night terrors, sleepwalking, sleep talking, head banging, wetting the bed and grinding your teeth are kinds of sleep problems called parasomnias. There are treatments for most sleep disorders. Sometimes just having regular sleep habits can help. Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that disrupts your normal sleeping pattern. It can cause you to fall asleep suddenly, without warning (known as "sleep attacks") and also tends to make you feel excessively drowsy during the day time. Read more on
www.nhs.uk
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy (NAHR-koh-lep-see) is a sleep disorder where you do not get enough REM sleep. REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is the stage of sleep where you dream. Not getting enough REM sleep at night causes you to be sleepy during the day. You can fall asleep at any time, even when you do not want to. With this disorder, you may have no control over when you fall asleep. You may not sleep well at night, and do not get enough sleep in a 24-hour period. Narcolepsy may cause you to have relationship problems and problems at work. Narcolepsy can affect how you feel about yourself and your life. Read more on
www.pdrhealth.com
Narcolepsy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder, or dyssomnia, characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in which a person experiences extreme fatigue and ... Read more on
en.wikipedia.org
What is narcolepsy, symptoms & causes - WebMD
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness. Learn more about this sleep disorder. Read more on
www.webmd.com
Narcolepsy Information Page: National Institute of Neurological ...
May 14, 2010 ... Information sheet compiled by NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Read more on
www.ninds.nih.gov
Narcolepsy Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment by MedicineNet.com
Mar 10, 2011 ... Narcolepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the main symptom and is present in 100% ... Read more on
www.medicinenet.com
Narcolepsy Overview - Narcolepsy - Sleep Channel
Sep 15, 2010 ... Narcolepsy is primarily characterized by intermittent, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the daytime. Read more on
www.sleepdisorderchannel.com
Contents
Complications
Public misunderstanding of the condition Narcolepsy may cause you to experience serious problems in both your professional and personal life. Others may perceive your condition as lazy, lethargic or rude. Your performance may suffer at school or work.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Coping and support
Dealing with narcolepsy can be challenging. Making adjustments in your daily schedule may help. Consider these tips: Talk about it. Tell your employer or teachers about your condition and work together to find ways to accommodate your needs. This may include taking naps during the day, breaking up monotonous tasks, recording meetings or classes, standing during meetings or lectures, and taking brisk walks at various times throughout the day. The Americans With Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against workers with narcolepsy and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees. Be safe. If you must drive a long distance, work with your doctor to establish...
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www.mayoclinic.com
Diagnosis
In order to make a diagnosis of narcolepsy, your GP will look carefully at both your medical and family history. They will ask you about your sleeping habits and about any other symptoms that you may be experiencing.
Read more on
www.nhs.uk
Exams and Tests
The doctor will perform a physical exam and order blood work to rule out conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Conditions that can cause excessive sleepiness include:Insomnia and other sleep disorders ; Restless leg syndrome ; Seizures ; Sleep apnea ; Other medical, psychiatric, or nervous system diseases; ECG (measures the heart's electrical activity); EEG (brain activity measurements); Monitoring of breathing; Genetic testing to look for narcolepsy gene
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Lifestyle and home remedies
Lifestyle modifications are important in managing the symptoms of narcolepsy. You may benefit from these steps: Stick to a schedule. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. Take naps. Schedule short naps at regular intervals during the day. Short naps of 20 minutes at strategic times during the day may be refreshing and reduce sleepiness for one to three hours. Avoid nicotine and alcohol. Using these substances, especially at night, can worsen your signs and symptoms. Get regular exercise. Moderate, regular exercise at least four to five hours before bedtime may help you feel more awake during the day and sleep better at night.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Medical advice
See your doctor if you experience excessive daytime sleepiness that seriously disrupts your personal or professional life.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Outlook (Prognosis)
Narcolepsy is a chronic, life-long condition. It is not a deadly illness, but it may be dangerous if episodes occur during driving, operating machinery, or similar activities. Narcolepsy can usually be controlled with treatment. Treating other underlying sleep disorders can improve symptoms of narcolepsy.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Possible Complications
Injuries and accidents, if attacks occur during activities Impairment of functioning at work Impairment of social activities Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent narcolepsy. Treatment may reduce the number of attacks. Avoid situations that aggravate the condition if you are prone to attacks of narcolepsy.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Risk factors
Narcolepsy may be more common in men than women and occurs in all racial and ethnic groups. However, rates do seem to vary by country.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of narcolepsy include: Excessive daytime sleepiness. The primary characteristic of narcolepsy is overwhelming drowsiness and an uncontrollable need to sleep during the day. People with narcolepsy fall asleep without warning, anywhere and at any time. For example, you may suddenly nod off while at work or talking with friends. You may sleep for just a few minutes or up to a half-hour before awakening and feeling refreshed, but then you fall asleep again. In addition to sleeping at inappropriate times and places, you may also experience decreased alertness throughout the day. Excessive daytime sleepiness usually is the first symptom to appear and is often the most troublesome,...
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www.mayoclinic.com
Treatments and drugs
There is no cure for narcolepsy, but medications and lifestyle modifications can help you manage the symptoms. Medications include: Stimulants. Drugs that stimulate the central nervous system are the primary treatment to help people with narcolepsy stay awake during the day. Modafinil (Provigil), a newer stimulant, isn't as addictive and doesn't produce the highs and lows often associated with older stimulants. Some people need treatment with methylphenidate (Ritalin) or various amphetamines. Although these medications are effective, they may cause side effects, such as nervousness and heart palpitations, and can be addictive. Antidepressants. Doctors often prescribe antidepressant medications,...
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www.mayoclinic.com