What is Narcolepsy?

If you're asking yourself 'what is narcolepsy exactly?', you're probably not alone!

This condition is actually one of the least common, and most misunderstood sleep disorders.

Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder, and people suffering from this condition have brains that are unable to control or regulate their body's sleep/wake cycles.

If you ask a dictionary 'what is narcolepsy?', you'll get an answer that goes something like this -

Narcolepsy Basics

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 causes of narcolepsy 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).

Okay, so now that you know the answer to the question 'what is narcolepsy?', what happens next?

The Big Picture

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 narcolepsy symptoms, this condition 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!

Find more information and advice on narcolepsy by using this searchbox...........

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