Narcolepsy

The sweltering heat of the afternoon sun can drowse and dull your brain. It is enough to make you sleepy. But when you’re inside an air conditioned room in the middle of a business meeting or class and you still feel like you want to sleep or maybe had really actually dozed off to sleep, you must be suffering from a problem called narcolepsy.

What is narcolepsy and what causes it?

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. People with narcolepsy often find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time, regardless of the circumstances. Narcolepsy can cause serious disruptions in your daily routine (Mayo Clinic).

The cause of narcolepsy is unknown. However, research claim that a chemical in the brain called Hypocretin has a play in its development. Genetic predisposition and positive family history has also a role in narcolepsy. It begins in people who are between 10 and 30 years old.

Symptoms of narcolepsy

Narcolepsy can continue throughout life. The symptoms worsen during the first year. Symptoms include:

Excessive daytime sleepiness. This is called cataplexy. You may experience decrease alertness and concentration. You may be doing a task with some friends and would just feel sleepy and nod off. You slept for a few minutes and feel refresh as a colleague wakes you up and suddenly you feel sleepy again. Not everyone who has narcolepsy suffer from cataplexy.

Sleep paralysis. People with narcolepsy experience the inability to move or speak upon waking or while falling asleep. This episode can last a few seconds to minutes and can be mistaken as a case of stroke. Family and friends who are amidst can be frightened. Not everyone with narcolepsy has sleep paralysis at the same time.

Dreaming. Rapid eye movement sleep occurs and a person with narcolepsy can experience dream that he may remember after waking up.

Hallucinations. Images as well as sounds that are non-existent can be experienced while you are sleeping (hypnagogic hallucination) or upon waking up (hypnopompic hallucination).

Treatment

Narcolepsy is a chronic condition for which there's no cure. However, medications and lifestyle changes can help you manage the symptoms. Support from others — family, friends, employers and teachers — can help you cope with narcolepsy. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and heavy meals. See your doctor if you feel you need to.