What is Narcolepsy?You could easily be forgiven for asking 'what is narcolepsy?', as this condition is one of the least common, and least understood sleep disorders.
Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder, and the brains of narcolepsy sufferers are unable to control or regulate the body's sleep/wake cycles. If you ask a dictionary 'what is narcolepsy?', you'll find the definition goes something like this - Narcolepsy BasicsFor narcoleptics, the normal patterns of sleeping and waking are disrupted, and sufferers can experience excessive, often overwhelming, sleepiness at any time during the day, or night.Unlike more common sleep disorders, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, narcolepsy affects a small percentage of the population - approx 0.03% according to research. Although that seems a very small number, if you're one of that 0.03% it's significant! For people suffering from narcolepsy, the effects can have a huge impact on their daily lives. Narcolepsy usually doesn't appear until a sufferer is between 15 and 25 years old, although it can occur earlier or later depending on the triggers. When we're considering the question 'what is narcolepsy', we also need to look at the causes and effects of this disorder. These are as complex as the condition itself. Scientists now believe that low levels of the brain chemical hypocretin, play a big role in causing narcolepsy. Other factors may include infection, disease or injury to the brain, hormonal fluctuations and a hereditary pre-disposition to the condition (which is believed to be the case in approx 8 - 12% of sufferers). The overwhelming desire to sleep that characterizes narcolepsy, may also be accompanied by cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness), hallucinations (incredibly vivid dream-like visions or delusions) and/or sleep paralysis (a total inability to move/speak experienced by sufferers as they fall asleep, or while waking up). Now you know the answer to the question 'what is narcolepsy?', what happens next?
The Big PictureWell, if you think that you may be suffering from this sleep disorder, a complete physical exam by a doctor, accompanied by the recording of your medical history is the first step.A polysomnogram and a multiple sleep latency test are next, but don't worry, neither of these involve pain! They're basically a way of monitoring your sleep cycles, and body functions (such as heartbeat, brainwaves, muscle tone, eye movements etc.) both while you sleep and when you're awake. Because of the complexity and sometimes vague presentation of symptoms, narcolepsy often goes undiagnosed for several years. Don't allow that to happen to you, if you think you may be narcoleptic, talk to your doctor right away. Although there is no cure (as yet) for narcolepsy, there are different treatments options and methods that can control the condition.... and give you your life back!
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