Narcolepsy is a relatively rare condition that causes a person to experience an overwhelming sense of drowsiness during the day.  As a result, the person may even suddenly and unexpectedly fall asleep for short periods of time during waking hours.  Unfortunately, this often occurs at inappropriate times and can even be of danger to the narcoleptic.

 

Symptoms of Narcolepsy

 

Recognizing the symptoms of narcolepsy is relatively simple.  Typically, all narcoleptics experience four different symptoms:

• Cataplexy

• Sleep paralysis

• Hypnogogic hallucinations

• Automatic behavior

Each of these symptoms can be quite frightening, particular the first time they are experienced and before the narcolepsy is diagnosed.

 

Cataplexy

 

When the narcoleptic experiences cataplexy, he or she experiences muscle function loss.  This can be a slight feeling of weakness or the body may collapse completely.  When a slight loss of muscle function occurs, it may be characterized by limpness in the knees or in the neck.  It may also be characterized by the inability to clearly speak or by the development of sagging muscles in the face.

 

Certain factors appear to trigger the onset of cataplexy.  These include:

• Anger

• Laughter

• Fear

• Surprise

Generally, this stage lasts for a few seconds or for several minutes.  In addition, the narcoleptic remains awake during the entire episode. 

 

Sleep Paralysis

 

As the name suggests, sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or to talk when waking up.  This stage may also last for just a few seconds or may last for several minutes.  Although this stage can be quite frightening to the narcoleptic, it is not dangerous unless it results in the ability to move out of harms way or to properly control one’s environment.

 

Hypnagogic Hallucinations

 

During the hypnagogic hallucination stage, the narcoleptic experiences hallucinations that are quite vivid.  These hallucinations are often frightening in nature and feels similar to dreaming.  This stage may occur while the narcoleptic is sleeping, when he or she is falling asleep, or even during waking hours. 

 

Automatic Behavior

 

When in the automatic behavior stage, the narcoleptic continues to perform every day functions, such as talking and walking, while asleep.  When the narcoleptic wakes up from this stage, he or she has no memory of what took place during that time period.  Experts estimate that approximately 40% of narcoleptics experience this phenomenon. 

 

Although it is possible for a person that does not have narcolepsy to experience these sleep disturbances, it is more common in those that do.  In addition, when these sleep problems are experienced by people without narcolepsy, it is usually in response to a lack of sleep. 

 

Causes and Treatment of Narcolepsy

 

Unfortunately, there is no known cause for narcolepsy, though genetics appears to be the major link to the disorder.  Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options available, though these treatments address the symptoms of narcolepsy rather than the actual cause.  Stimulants may be used to treat drowsiness and patients can plan short naps throughout the day in order to prevent the symptoms from developing.