People may sleep during the day for a few minutes, particularly if they are in an awkward position for sleep or for a few hours if they are lying down.People typically have periods of drowsiness every 3 or 4 hours that usually end in short naps.These events may be characterized by the following behaviors: It is sometime described as an irresistible daytime need for naps, which will generally refresh the person. Primary Symptoms of Narcolepsy Excessive SleepinessĪll people with narcolepsy can experience excessive sleepiness during the day with episodes of falling asleep rapidly and inappropriately, even when fully involved in an activity. In fact, narcolepsy is sometimes defined as the loss of boundaries between wakefulness, non-REM sleep, and REM sleep. REM sleep is the active, dreaming phase of sleep. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is abnormal in narcolepsy. Dreamlike states between waking and sleeping (called hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations).A sense of paralysis that occurs between wakefulness and sleep (called atonia).Microsleep episodes, in which the patient behaves automatically but without conscious awareness.Temporary and sudden muscle weakness (called cataplexy), usually brought on by strong emotions.Excessive daytime sleepiness, with frequent daily sleep attacks or a need to take several naps during the day.The word narcolepsy comes from 2 Greek words roughly translated as "seized by numbness." The 2 primary symptoms in narcolepsy reflect this phrase: Primary means the condition is not caused by another disease. Narcolepsy is considered a primary hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness) condition. Trials of Xyrem, however, have not reported these effects with the doses used in treatment for cataplexy. Very serious side effects, including seizures, coma, and death, have been reported in people who abused this drug. The FDA has placed tight restrictions on the use of this drug. Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) for cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness) as well as for excessive daytime sleepiness.Armodafinil (Nuvigil) for excessive, uncontrollable, daytime sleepiness.Modafinil (Provigil) for excessive, uncontrollable, daytime sleepiness.The main drug treatments for narcolepsy control daytime symptoms and includes: Today, there is no standard screening protocol for primary care doctors to detect sleep disorders. Narcolepsy is often hard to detect because, sleep habits are not something typically asked about in a wellness visit.The condition is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Narcolepsy is not caused by mental illness or psychological problems, though it is often mistaken for such.Researchers are looking at how vaccination and infection with H1N1 virus may trigger the autoimmune reaction in some people since the proteins are similar.The deficiency is thought to be a complex autoimmune process where the protein is attacked by the immune system.A deficiency in the neurotransmitter hypocretin (orexin) has implicated this brain chemical in the cases of narcolepsy with cataplexy, the most common form of the condition.Having a family member with narcolepsy presents a 20 to 40 times higher risk of developing the condition compared to the general population. Narcolepsy affects about 1 in 3,000 people. Unaware of the extent of their drowsy periods and unable to recall their behavior during that time.Periodic sleep for a few minutes during the day, particularly if they are in an awkward position for sleep, or for a few hours if they are lying down.Periods of drowsiness every 3 or 4 hours that usually end in short naps.), usually brought on by strong emotions. Most also experience sudden but temporary muscle weakness (called Everyone with narcolepsy experiences excessive sleepiness during the day.
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