Understanding Narcolepsy and Its Symptoms
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to regulate normal sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness, even after getting enough nighttime sleep. This means they can fall asleep unexpectedly during the day, leading to issues functioning at school, work or while driving.
Common Narcolepsy Symptoms
In addition to severe daytime drowsiness, there are other classic narcolepsy symptoms to look out for, including:
- Cataplexy - sudden loss of muscle control and strength, often triggered by emotions
- Sleep paralysis - being unable to talk or move when first waking up
- Hallucinations - vivid, often frightening sensory images that occur while falling asleep or waking up
- Disrupted nighttime sleep - insomnia and frequent nighttime awakenings
What Causes Narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is strongly linked to lacking sufficient levels of orexin (hypocretin) in the brain. Orexin is responsible for coordinating sleep-wake cycles. When orexin levels drop or brain cells cannot properly utilize it, normal sleep patterns get disrupted.
Genetics and environmental factors like infections are believed to play a role in causing orexin deficiencies. Traumatic head injuries and some immunological disorders also increase a person's risk.
Getting a Narcolepsy Diagnosis
Since all the symptoms of narcolepsy can occur in other sleep disorders and medical conditions, getting properly diagnosed is essential yet challenging. It often takes people with narcolepsy years to get diagnosed correctly.
Sleep Study Tests for Narcolepsy
If your doctor suspects you may have narcolepsy based on your symptoms, you'll likely be referred for specialized sleep testing to confirm or rule it out. There are two main sleep studies used:
- Overnight polysomnogram - measures brain waves, oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing and movement throughout a night of sleep
- Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) - measures how long it takes to fall asleep and whether you enter REM sleep during five opportunites to nap the following day
These sleep studies allow doctors to see physiological signs characteristic of narcolepsy, like entering REM very quickly during daytime naps. The sleep test results, combined with an evaluation of symptoms, confirm an narcolepsy diagnosis.
Other Tests to Rule Out Underlying Conditions
In addition to sleep studies, doctors may run other tests to check for potential underlying neurologic conditions that could be causing secondary narcolepsy.
These may include:
- Brain MRI - to check for lesions, tumors or other structural abnormalities
- Lumbar puncture - analyses spinal fluid for issues indicating infections or autoimmune disorders affecting the brain
- Blood tests - check for genetic markers of narcolepsy or neuro-chemical imbalances
National Narcolepsy Awareness Day - March 16
National Narcolepsy Awareness Day takes place on March 16 every year. The awareness day provides an important opportunity to spread understanding of this challenging, life-long sleep disorder that affects an estimated 1 in 2,000 people.
How You Can Help Spread Awareness
On National Narcolepsy Awareness Day each year, patients, advocacy groups and drowsy driving organizations band together to educate more of the public about narcolepsy.
Some ways you can help support the awareness day and narcolepsy community include:
- Participating in a local narcolepsy walk or run event
- Registering to be an organ donor, as transplants can enable some narcolepsy cases
- Making a donation to a narcolepsy medical research fund
- Volunteering with a local narcolepsy support group
- Sharing articles, infographics and personal stories on social media to #SpreadTheWord
Narcolepsy Doesn't Have to Limit Life
While there is no cure for narcolepsy yet, various treatments can help people manage their sleep disorder successfully. Lifestyle adjustments, scheduled napping, medications and patient support networks also enable those with narcolepsy to achieve their full potential in all areas of life.
By learning the signs of narcolepsy, understanding the reality of living with it and spreading awareness - like on National Narcolepsy Day - we can also help reduce the stigma around this condition and support early intervention before symptoms become debilitating.
FAQs
What are the first signs of narcolepsy?
The first signs are often feeling abnormally sleepy during the day no matter how much sleep you get at night. Having great difficulty waking up in the mornings is also a common early symptom.
Does narcolepsy go away?
No, narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder so it does not go away on its own over time. With proper management of symptoms, people can live well with narcolepsy.
Can you drive if you have narcolepsy?
It depends on the severity of daytime sleepiness and cataplexy symptoms. Strict regulations often apply to maintain road safety. Discuss your case with your doctor.
Is there a cure?
While there is currently no definitive cure for the underlying deficiencies causing narcolepsy, available treatments can effectively manage symptoms for most people.
Can children get diagnosed with narcolepsy?
Yes, but narcolepsy symptoms more often initially appear in teenagers. Getting an accurate diagnosis can be more difficult in children.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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