Narcolepsy
Overview:
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that impacts the control of sleep and wakefulness. People with narcolepsy experience excessive sleepiness that includes uncontrollable instances of suddenly falling asleep. These episodes can happen during any activity at any time of the day. The cause of narcolepsy is unknown, however, progress has been made toward identifying genes which are strongly associated with the disorder.
Symptoms:
People with narcolepsy may find it almost impossible to keep from falling asleep during the day. They feel sleepy even after a full night's sleep or shortly after a long nap. Hallucinations, a sudden loss of muscle tone, or the temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up are also symptoms of narcolepsy.
Tests and diagnosis:
In order to diagnose narcolepsy, a doctor may recommend:
- A polysomnogram (sleep study)
- A multiple sleep latency test which examines how quickly you fall asleep during the day
Treating narcolepsy:
The most common way of treating nocturnal seizures is with medication. Most doctors will prescribe a stimulant that helps an individual with narcolepsy stay awake during the day.