During this phase, your brain waves slow considerably. The normal process of falling asleep begins with a phase called non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Other factors, such as infection, stress or exposure to toxins, may contribute to the development of narcolepsy.Ĭontrary to what some people believe, narcolepsy isn't related to depression, seizure disorders, fainting, simple lack of sleep or other conditions that may cause abnormal sleep patterns. The exact cause of narcolepsy isn't known. See your doctor if you experience excessive daytime sleepiness that disrupts your personal or professional life. Symptoms often are more severe for those who develop them early in life, rather than in adulthood. The signs and symptoms of narcolepsy can begin anytime up to your 50s, but they most commonly begin between the ages of 10 and 25. For instance, if you were writing, what you wrote asleep may look like scribbling. When you awaken, you can't remember what you did, and you probably didn't do it well. For example, you may fall asleep while performing a task you normally perform, such as writing, typing or driving, and you continue to function while asleep. Some people with narcolepsy experience automatic behavior during these brief episodes. Some episodes of sleep attacks are brief, lasting seconds. People with narcolepsy may also act out their dreams at night by flailing their arms or kicking and screaming. People with narcolepsy may have other sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, in which breathing starts and stops throughout the night, restless legs syndrome and even insomnia. Because you may be semiawake when you begin dreaming, you experience your dreams as reality, and they may be particularly vivid and frightening. These hallucinations, called hypnagogic hallucinations, may occur when falling quickly into REM sleep, as you do when you first fall asleep, or upon waking. Many people without narcolepsy experience some episodes of sleep paralysis, especially in young adulthood. Not everyone with sleep paralysis has narcolepsy, however. This temporary immobility during REM sleep may prevent your body from acting out dream activity. This sleep paralysis mimics the type of temporary paralysis that normally occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the period of sleep during which most dreaming occurs. You may be aware of the condition and have no difficulty recalling it afterward, even if you had no control over what was happening to you. These episodes are usually brief - lasting one or two minutes - but can be frightening. People with narcolepsy often experience a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking. Some people with narcolepsy experience only one or two episodes of cataplexy a year, while others have numerous episodes daily. For example, your head may droop uncontrollably or your knees may suddenly buckle when you laugh. Cataplexy is uncontrollable and is often triggered by intense emotions, usually positive ones such as laughter or excitement, but sometimes fear, surprise or anger. This condition, called cataplexy, can cause a number of physical changes, from slurred speech to complete weakness of most muscles, and may last for a few seconds to a few minutes. Excessive daytime sleepiness usually is the first symptom to appear and is often the most troublesome, making it difficult for you to concentrate and function fully. You also may experience decreased alertness throughout the day. You may sleep for a few minutes or up to a half-hour before awakening and feeling refreshed, but eventually you fall asleep again. For example, you may suddenly nod off while working or talking with friends. People with narcolepsy fall asleep without warning, anywhere, anytime. The primary characteristics of narcolepsy are overwhelming drowsiness and an uncontrollable need to sleep during the day. Symptoms of narcolepsy may worsen for the first few years, and then continue for life. What Narcolepsy Treatments are Available?.Talking to others - family, friends, employer, teachers - can help you cope with narcolepsy. However, medications and lifestyle changes can help you manage the symptoms. Narcolepsy is a chronic condition for which there's no cure. Narcolepsy can cause serious disruptions in your daily routine. People with narcolepsy often find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time, regardless of the circumstances. Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep.
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