Vivid dreams may be experienced on a regular basis, even during very brief naps. They are typically refreshing, but only for a few hours or less.
These naps can occur several times a day. Daytime naps may occur with little warning and may be physically irresistible. Įxcessive sleepiness can vary in severity, and it appears most commonly during monotonous situations that don't require much interaction. This can feel like living their entire lives in a constant state of sleep deprivation. Many narcoleptics have sufficient REM sleep, but do not feel refreshed or alert throughout the day. Narcoleptics typically have higher REM sleep density than non-narcoleptics, but also experience more REM sleep without atonia. Narcoleptics may not be able to experience the amount of restorative deep sleep that healthy people experience due to abnormal REM regulation – they are not "over-sleeping". A person with narcolepsy is likely to become drowsy or fall asleep, often at inappropriate or undesired times and places, or just be very tired throughout the day. Excessive daytime sleepiness occurs even after adequate night time sleep. There are two main characteristics of narcolepsy: excessive daytime sleepiness and abnormal REM sleep. Narcolepsy can occur anytime between early childhood and 50 years old, while around 15 and 36 years of age being the peak time periods. Untreated narcolepsy increases the risk of motor vehicle collisions and falls. The condition often begins in childhood, with males and females being affected equally. Įstimates of frequency range from 0.2 to 600 per 100,000 people in various countries. Tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may improve cataplexy. While initially effective, tolerance to the benefits may develop over time. Medications used include modafinil, sodium oxybate and methylphenidate. Lifestyle changes include taking regular short naps and sleep hygiene.
While there is no cure, a number of lifestyle changes and medications may help. Excessive daytime sleepiness can also be caused by other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, anemia, heart failure, drinking alcohol and not getting enough sleep. Diagnosis is typically based on the symptoms and sleep studies, after ruling out other potential causes. In rare cases, narcolepsy can be caused by traumatic brain injury, tumors, or other diseases affecting the parts of the brain that regulate wakefulness or REM sleep. Often, those affected have low levels of the neuropeptide orexin, which may be due to an autoimmune disorder triggered in genetically susceptible individuals by infection with H1N1 influenza. In up to 10% of cases, there is a family history of the disorder.
The exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown, with potentially several causes. People with narcolepsy tend to sleep about the same number of hours per day as people without, but the quality of sleep tends to be lessened. Less commonly, there may be vivid hallucinations or an inability to move ( sleep paralysis) while falling asleep or waking up. These experiences of cataplexy can be brought on by strong emotions. Narcolepsy paired with cataplexy is evidenced to be an autoimmune disorder. About 70% of those affected also experience episodes of sudden loss of muscle strength, known as cataplexy. Symptoms often include periods of excessive daytime sleepiness and brief involuntary sleep episodes. Narcolepsy is a long-term neurological disorder that involves a decreased ability to regulate sleep–wake cycles. Modafinil, sodium oxybate, stimulants, antidepressants Sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, anemia, heart failure, drinking alcohol, not getting enough sleep Excessive daytime sleepiness, involuntary sleep episodes, sudden loss of muscle strength, hallucinations īased on the symptoms and sleep studies
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