Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that causes a person to fall asleep suddenly at any point during the day. Narcolepsy is categorized by four primary symptoms:

• Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) – this includes persistant drowsiness, irresistible daytime sleep “attacks”, and “microsleeps”, fleeting moments of sleep during the day.
• Cataplexy – the sudden loss of voluntary muscle control, usually triggered by emotions such as laughter, surprise, fear or anger. The cataplectic attack may involve weakness and limp muscles or it may result in a total body collapse. These attacks last anywhere from a few seconds to up to thirty minutes.
• Hypnagogic Hallucinations – vivid, realistic and often frightening dreams that can occur during the process of going to sleep or waking up.
• Sleep Paralysis – the sudden, temporary inability to move, also occurring during the sleep or waking process.

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder caused by a lack of a chemical in the brain called hypocretin, which normally stimulates arousal and helps regulate sleep. About one in 2,000 people suffer from narcolepsy, with the majority of symptoms appearing between the ages of 15 and 30.

Once a diagnosis of narcolepsy is made, the goal is to increase daytime alertness and lessen recurring cataplexy using minimal medication. In addition to drug therapy, two or three short naps during the day, a proper diet and regular exercise may help. Understanding from your doctor, friends and family is critical for the patient with narcolepsy, and support groups are highly recommended for those who suffer from this condition.

Other Resources

Narcolepsy Network
www.narcolepsynetwork.org