Narcolepsy (Sleep Disorder): Symptoms, causes and treatment

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Narcolepsy
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Narcolepsy

• Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological
  disorder which is caused by the brains inability
  to regulate sleep cycles. At various times during
  the day, the patient can fall asleep at any time
  for anything from a few seconds up to a few
  minutes. The patient has little or no control
  over falling asleep and it can happen at the most
  inconvenient and embarrassing times for example,
  whilst driving, during a meeting or conversation
  or even during sex. While Narcolepsy isn't very
  common, it still affects a lot of people. It
  normally manifests itself in the patient's teens
  to early twenties. However, Narcolepsy can start
  in both the very young and the old.

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Causes of Narcolepsy

• There is a great deal of debate with regards
  to what causes Narcolepsy. At this time, there
  isn't a definitive answer. What is generally
  believed though is that the brain normal pattern
  during sleep is that during the first hour, the
  brains electrical activity reduces. After this
  hour, the electrical activity starts to increase
  again. This is accompanied by rapid eye
  movements (REM) and deep relaxation of your
  muscles. After a while, the brain electrical
  activity starts to slow down again. This cycle
  repeats itself a number of times throughout
  sleep. Some investigation has shown that a
  person suffering from Narcolepsy doesn't follow
  this same pattern,  

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Causes of Narcolepsy
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• or rather the initial slowing of the brains
  electrical activity is a lot quicker than in a
  non-narcoleptic.
• This sleep cycle is controlled by neurones
  within the brain. For narcoleptics, it has been
  noted that the hormone Hypocretin is a lot lower
  than in people who don't suffer from Narcolepsy.
  Hypocretin it is believed controls the neurones
  which in turn control the brains activity during
  sleep.

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Symptoms

• Excessive sleepiness in the daytime A primary
  characteristic is an uncontrollable need to sleep
  during the day along with an overwhelming
  drowsiness. People who suffer from this disorder
  will fall asleep without warning, anywhere and at
  anytime. Apart from this, people who are
  suffering may also experience a decreased
  alertness throughout the day.
• Abrupt loss of muscle tone (Cataplexy) This is a
  condition also known as cataplexy, which can
  cause a range of physical changes from slurred
  speech to complete weakness of most muscles. This
  lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes.
  Cataplexy is an uncontrollable condition that is
  often triggered by intense emotions, usually ones
  that are positive such as excitement and
  laughter, though sometimes surprise, fear and
  anger are also part of it.

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Symptoms
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• A few people who suffer from narcolepsy
  experience one or two episodes in a year while
  there are others who have numerous episodes.
• Sleep Paralysis Often people suffering from this
  disorder experience a temporary inability to
  speak or move while falling asleep or upon
  waking. These episodes are frightening and
  usually last only several seconds to several
  minutes. Sleep paralysis imitates the type of
  temporary paralysis that normally takes place
  during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, i.e. the
  period of sleep in which dreams occur. This
  temporary immobility that is experienced during
  REM sleep may prevent the body from acting out.

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Symptoms
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• It is notable that not every person who suffers
  from sleep paralysis has narcolepsy, however many
  normal people do experience a few attacks of
  sleep paralysis, especially in young adulthood.
• Hallucinations When a person has narcolepsy,
  they may also have hallucinations. This happens
  when a person falls quickly into rapid eye
  movement (REM) sleep as they do at sleep onset at
  night and periodically during the day. It is at
  this time you may be semi awake when you begin
  dreaming and experience your dreams as reality
  and they may be frightening and vivid.

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Treatments

• There is no cure for narcolepsy, but there are
  lifestyle modifications and medications that can
  help you deal with the symptoms.Antidepressants
  and stimulants are some of the medications that
  are used to deal with the disorder. It is advised
  that you consult the doctor if you are suffering
  from other health problems like high blood
  pressure and diabetes.

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Lifestyle changes to deal with Narcolepsy

• Since lifestyle modifications are important in
  managing the symptoms, here are a few steps that
  could prove beneficial.
• Adhere to a sleeping schedule. You can do this by
  going to sleep and waking up at the same time
  every day including weekends.
• Taking naps at regular intervals will also be
  refreshing and help you stay awake for a few
  hours.
• Avoid alcohol and nicotine as using these
  substances may worsen the signs and symptoms
  associated with narcolepsy.
• Exercise regularly as this will help you feel
  more awake during the day and also help you sleep
  better at night.
• Making a few lifestyle changes for the better
  will certainly help you more than anything else.
  A healthy body and a healthy mind will help you
  overcome almost all problems. Exercise, eat
  right, and stay happy!

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