Narcolepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous
system. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the main symptom
and is present in 100% of patients with narcolepsy.
Other primary symptoms of narcolepsy include:
- loss of muscle tone (cataplexy),
- distorted perceptions (hypnagogic hallucinations),
and
- inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis).
Additional symptoms include disturbed nocturnal sleep and
automatic behavior (patients carry out certain actions without
conscious awareness). All of the symptoms of narcolepsy
may be present in various combinations and degrees of severity.
Narcolepsy usually begins in teenagers or young adults
and affects both sexes equally. The first symptom to appear
is excessive daytime sleepiness, attacks sleepiness which
may remain unrecognized for a long time in that it develops
gradually over time. The other symptoms can follow excessive
daytime sleepiness by months or years.
The prevalence of narcolepsy is similar to that of
Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Sleep is very important to human beings. But even a good
night’s sleep can’t keep certain people from nodding
off during the day. It doesn’t matter what time, place
or situation these particular people are in; they will fall
asleep in the flick of an eye, without warning and remain
so for a few seconds or minutes. They could be at work, driving,
which is very dangerous, or doing other tasks. And, for the
people suffering from this condition known as narcolepsy,
there’s little they can do when it strikes.
Today, narcolepsy is known as a chronic neurological
disorder caused by the brain’s inability to regulate
sleep-wake cycles normally. It is characterized by three major
symptoms: cataplexy (the sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone);
vivid hallucinations during sleep; and brief episodes of total
paralysis at the beginning or end of sleep.
There is not a researcher or doctor who understands the causes
of narcolepsy. But theories suggest that it may be genetic
if one person in the family or more has it. Other conditions
of the brain, or perhaps brain injury may affect a person
to the point where they have this neurological disorder.
Often, diagnosis of narcolepsy is done through clinical evaluations,
sleep logs, or specific questionnaires. It involves a lot
of observation and interpretation of data collected by the
physician and the patient.
The process of diagnosing the narcolepsy may include other
forms of test. One in particular is a blood test to determine
the type of HLA a person has.
Narcolepsy doesn’t have a cure. However, there
are several ways it can be treated. Treatment involves medications
such as certain stimulant drugs that will help you stay awake
during the daytime. Antidepressants may also you to establish
a better sleeping pattern at night. Such drugs are used for
treatment and management of the condition: Modafinil,
Modalert,
Modapro,
Provigil,
Nuvigil,
Modavigil
– these drugs promote wakefulness and help people with
certain conditions stay awake.
Consult your healthcare professional before
using any drug.
