WHAT IS NARCOLEPSY?
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that impacts sleep and involves irregular patterns in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and significant disruptions of the normal sleep/wake cycle. Narcolepsy can affect all areas of a person’s life including relationships with family and friends, education and employment, driving and public outings. While the cause of Narcolepsy is not completely understood, current research points to a combination of genetic and environmental factors that influence the immune system.
WHAT CAUSES NARCOLEPSY?
Scientists have confirmed that Narcolepsy with cataplexy is caused by the loss of the two brain chemicals called hypocretins (orexins). These are neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of the sleep/wake cycle as well as other bodily function. The cause of Narcolepsy without cataplexy are unknown. Further research is needed to determine why hypocretin cells are destroyed and to identify the exact trigger of both forms of Narcolepsy.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF NARCOLEPSY?
Narcolepsy has five primary symptoms:
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS): An overwhelming sense of tiredness and fatigue throughout the day
- Cataplexy: Events during which a person has no reflex or voluntary muscle control. For example, knees buckle and even give way when experiencing a strong emotion – laughter, joy, surprise, anger or heads drop or jaws go slack from the same kind of stimuli
- Sleep Paralysis: A limpness in the body associated with REM sleep resulting in temporary paralysis when the individual is falling asleep, or awakening. Episodes can last from a brief moment to several minutes.
- Hypnogogic Hallucinations: Events of vivid audio and visual events that a person with narcolepsy experiences while falling asleep, or while awakening
- Disrupted Night-time Sleep: The inability to maintain sleep for more than a few hours at a time.
Other symptoms reported by people with Narcolepsy can include:
- Automatic Behaviour: The performance of tasks that are often routine, dull or repetitive without conscious effort or memory.
- Memory Lapses: Difficulty in remembering recent events, actions or words
HOW IS NARCOLEPSY DIAGNOSED?
Narcolepsy is diagnosed through a sleep study, a set of medical tests including an overnight Polysomnogram (PSG) and a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). Even when cataplexy is clearly present, a sleep study is necessary to rule out sleep apnoea and other possible sleep disorders contributing to EDS.
Narcolepsy often takes years to recognize in patients. Many medical conditions result in fatigue; thus, physicians might not consider Narcolepsy. While new discoveries are being made about Narcolepsy and other sleep disorders, life with Narcolepsy remains challenging for many people with the condition. Narcolepsy Network hopes that the information, resources, and support provided here on our site and elsewhere through conferences and events will provide people with Narcolepsy both hope and a voice.
HOW IS NARCOLEPSY TREATED?
There are three approaches to treatment:
- Modern Medications
- Lifestyle Adjustments
- Complimentary or Alternative Therapy
By combining these approaches and balancing between treatments for Sleepiness and REM Intrusion, optimal control of symptoms can be reached. It is best to be under the care of a doctor who is specially trained, Certified in Sleep Medicine, skilled in Neurology and experienced in treating Narcolepsy.
WHY KIMS?
The best neurology surgery specialist in Hyderabad at KIMS are specially trained in diagnosing and treating sleeping disorders, including narcolepsy. Using our state-of- the-art facilities and leading expertise, our best neuro surgeon in Hyderabad can diagnose your condition and devise a method to manage your symptoms, whether that involves medications or lifestyle changes or some combination of both. To reach you better, our best neurologist works tirelessly so that you get a good night’s sleep.