We have seen clearly that quality sleep right on schedule with the right quantity is one of the best health decisions anyone can make. It is a SLEEP MORE REVOLUTION, nevertheless, just like the saying, too much of everything is bad, too much sleep can be a health challenge, especially when it can’t be controlled.
let’s see
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness. It is believed that one in 2,000 People have some form of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy makes people feel overwhelmingly tired, and in severe cases, have sudden uncontrollable sleep attacks.
Narcolepsy can impact nearly every aspect of life. It is dangerous because the individual can have excessive sleepiness or a sleep attack at any time of the day, in the middle of any activity including eating, walking or driving. Operating a vehicle with untreated narcolepsy can be very dangerous and some states even have laws against it.
Many people with Narcolepsy are unaware they have the problem. Although it may run in families, most cases are not genetic. The cause is unknown, recent research suggests that many people with narcolepsy have low levels of the neurotransmitter hypocretin, a chemical that regulates arousal, wakefulness and appetite.
There are two types of narcolepsy:
- Narcolepsy with cataplexy – This type of narcolepsy involves a combination of excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. Cataplexy is a medical condition where certain events cause a person to suffer sudden physical collapse due to a sudden episode of muscle weakness. These events are usually triggered by strong emotions such as joy, surprise, laughter or anger.
- Narcolepsy without cataplexy – This type of narcolepsy occurs when there is continuous excessive sleepiness but no cataplexy. You may take a nap for a couple of hours and wake up feeling refreshed. But after a short time, you feel tired again.
It is worthy of note, the consistent feeling of tiredness during the day doesn’t necessarily confirm narcolepsy, many other conditions can produce a similar effect like sleep apnea, mental health disorders and use of certain medications or substances.
Symptoms
Symptoms of narcolepsy usually begin between the ages of 15 to 25, but it is possible to start experiencing symptoms at a much younger or older age. The symptoms usually worsen after the first few years. They include:
Excessive daytime sleepiness
The primary symptom of narcolepsy is excessive daytime sleepiness. The individual experiences transient sleep attacks and feeling of tiredness during the day even after a full night’s sleep. This sleepiness is difficult to prevent and may vary over the course of the day. After a brief nap, the individual feels alert, but the sleepiness will return after an hour or two.
Hallucinations
Some patients with narcolepsy have vivid hallucinations at sleep onset. These hypnagogic hallucinations are usually visions that someone or something is present in your bedroom. It can feel very real and trigger feelings of fear or dread.
Sleep paralysis
There could be a loss of the ability to move and sometimes the person feels paralyzed when they are falling asleep or waking up. This usually lasts a few seconds or minutes. This can be frightening, but it is not associated with an inability to breathe. Sleep paralysis can sometimes be paired with hallucinations, which are especially upsetting.
Disturbed nighttime sleep
About half of people with narcolepsy have problems sleeping through the night. Patients expressing this symptom wake up frequently at night and have difficulty falling back to sleep.
Memory problems
There is an associated memory problem among people with narcolepsy as they may not be fully awake at the time things are said to them, hence they tend to be forgetful. Memory lapses also happen when sleepiness sets in as you are doing activities that do not require much thought.
Sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy)
This only occurs in narcolepsy with cataplexy. Cataplexy occurs when a sleep attack is triggered by a strong emotion. This can happen when you are surprised, elated or even intimate with a partner. You may slur your speech or lose control of your limbs, or become completely paralyzed.
Treatment
There is no cure for narcolepsy, but the sleep disorder is manageable through medication and lifestyle changes.
Stimulants
The sleep medicine physician is likely to prescribe a stimulant to help the person stay awake during the day.
Antidepressants
These medications are often prescribed to treat cataplexy, as well as other narcolepsy symptoms including hallucinations and sleep paralysis.
Lifestyle adjustments
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule by going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day, including weekends
- Having short naps (say 20 minutes) during the day can increase energy for the day’s activities
- Avoid use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs
- Do regular exercise
Did you learn anything? Let us know
Cheers to good quality sleep
This is really revealing… Thanks!