Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by a frequent and uncontrollable desire for sleep. This can result into sudden instances of sleep at any time and place, regardless of what's happening. This results in the distortion of normal sleep patterns and rhythms causing excessive daytime sleepiness and a dangerous amount of sleep deprivation.
Irregular sleeping patterns are not only inconvenient, they can have medical, emotional, and psychological consequences.
There are two types of Narcolepsy, Type 1 and Type 2. The difference between both types of narcolepsy is whether or not cataplexy is present with the Narcolepsy.
Cataplexy is an episode in which strong emotion causes a sudden loss of muscle tone, causing our bodies to go limp. Cataplexy can lead to lack of muscle tone in an isolated body part, such as a slack jaw, or can impact the whole body, causing an inability to stand upright.
Type 1 Narcolepsy includes cataplexy while Type 2 does not, and around 75% of Narcoleptics have Type 1.
Narcolepsy is caused by the loss of a brain chemical called hypocretins. This chemical is a neurotransmitter that is involved in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. Without its presence, the body is unable to adequately regulate sleep.
While it is not understood exactly what causes the loss of hypocretins, there is evidence that a combination of genetic and environmental factors as causes.
Researchers have also identified a gene that is linked to narcolepsy, which occurs in about one quarter of the U.S. population.
Fortunately, narcolepsy does not affect many people –
The symptoms of narcolepsy can cause dangerous situations considering the impact it has on brain function and attention. There are increased safety concerns for narcoleptics because of the increase in dangerous situations such as car accidents from sudden onset of sleep or sleep deprivation. Aside from problems caused by random onset of sleep, sleep deprivation carries its own complications such as:
A Narcolepsy diagnosis requires a sleep study, and although it is incurable, this sleep disorder can be treated with medications and lifestyle adjustments.
If you find yourself experiencing many of the symptoms on this article, please click below to take a free sleep test to determine your next plan of action!